Dave, .chm file is a help file for the software, I suspect one on CD is english, the downloaded version of software comes with chinese help only. Not that you need help if you used programming software in the past but could be useful sometimes.

It seems the only difference between the A and CS version is the ISP, could you check that the software actually allows you to do ISP on the (much cheaper) CS version?To do that, just select one of the microchip pics that says "(ISP)" and give it a go.And could you please go to help-about and see what the test says, apparently they have some detection for pirated adapters...

Merely 50$ for a nice looking 'universal' programmer. Based on your review that programmer hardware seems to be real good, layout looks solid, there are plenty of voltage/IO confirurations available and with the extra add-on modules it should read a lot of old stuff. And there even is overcurrent protection?

I wonder if I should get one of these just to read back all the old 16C84:s and Eproms of the 10-20 year old projects I still have around. After that I'd just need some disassemblers and time.

(added later)

Could someone with this MiniPro Tl866 (dave, someone else?) check that it does support the old Pic16C84. I tried to check their website, but can't find any mention.

Realated to previous, is there any particular Pic14-bit Disassembler (16c84) anyone is willing to recommend?

(edit.. even later.. How many errors can I make at one post.. I need more coffee, a lot more)

I notice that Lynx in India (an active member on this forum) are listed as Agents for 'Autoelectric' on the Chinese website.

Well, I Am Thier Authorised Distributor In India .I Have Many Comments Of What Dave Had In This Video Of His .You Can Find My Name Here - > http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/order.htm (http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/order.htm) .Let Me Post All i Have Got Into This Thread .Dave i Am Stepping On Your Tail Lol :-DD

You were talking about firmware .Well when ever there is a update of software ,Like its ver 5.80 now and you put a programmer to the new software ,it will ask you to update programmer software ,fair enough ,do you know 6 months back it supported 6750++ device only and today it does support 13071 devices .Autoelectric team needs a pat on its back for this .

There was no chinglish works in the older software ,i am sending a full report to them to ammend a few words.Not only this i will tell them the following .The Main Screen Should Default To Os Installation Drive and that also in program file folder .Earlier versions did that .Firmware was firmware earlier not firewire anyways

The CD Has a Messup Of The Software i have no idea why .everyone please download Version 5.80 Here From My Websites File Manager -> http://www.lynxchandigarh.com/scripts/fmanager/index.php?dir=Electronic%20Instruments/&file=Autoelectric%20-%20MiniPRO%20EPROM%20BIOS%20Programmer%20Ver%205.80%20Dated%201-1-2013.rar (http://www.lynxchandigarh.com/scripts/fmanager/index.php?dir=Electronic%20Instruments/&file=Autoelectric%20-%20MiniPRO%20EPROM%20BIOS%20Programmer%20Ver%205.80%20Dated%201-1-2013.rar) And Device List Here -> http://www.lynxchandigarh.com/scripts/fmanager/index.php?dir=Electronic%20Instruments/&file=Autoelectric%20-%20USB%20Programmer%20Device%20Support%20List%20Ver%205.80%20Dated%201-1-2013.txt (http://www.lynxchandigarh.com/scripts/fmanager/index.php?dir=Electronic%20Instruments/&file=Autoelectric%20-%20USB%20Programmer%20Device%20Support%20List%20Ver%205.80%20Dated%201-1-2013.txt)

Yes its a kick ass programmer that can be used in production level environments also .I sell it to companies who make stuff and sells them to big American companies who make thousands of dollars selling that to Americans lol .So For you xeltek and elnec are production level stuff well sure they might be but they cannot match or beat the rate of this programmer in support Versus pricing of device support .Let Me Give You a example the Super M is the base level product right they sell it for USD 595/- IMHO .In china there stuff sells much less and they say those are pirated units .Well my foot they are 100% original and actual xeltek ,They cannot regulate thier own pricing .elnec has done that but there is a beeprog model that was cloned and people should not buy it .13000+ library of all stuff mostely used my repairmen and people like you me .

What You Missed it The Tsop Adapter Kit In This Programmer .The Beauty is that you need a base kit like this -> http://www.lynx-india.com/index.php?productID=17016 (http://www.lynx-india.com/index.php?productID=17016) .this has 4 Modules Dip To TSOP32 , Dip To TSOP40 [ 8 and 16 Bits ] and Dip to TSOP48 " Yes you Heard it correct ,it can easily program tsop48 ic ] .Once you have the base kit you can buy additional top kits like this TSOP32/40/48 ZIFF Adapter -> http://www.lynx-india.com/index.php?productID=17017 (http://www.lynx-india.com/index.php?productID=17017) .For People Who Do Car Stuff [ ECU And All ] They have SOP44 And SOP56 Adapters Also .This Function makes this programmer ultimate

You said its a car stuff company well no it is not it focuses on car ecu tuning and also tl866a and tl866cs programmer .if you use a translator you can dig deeper into it .my target people is computer repair technicians who are being screwed up by selling donkey stuff like willem eprom programmer and that stupid nano bios programmer .

i made a small video in hindi language for my countrymen about this programmer ,Please have a look at it and if you people like i can make a english one too .BTW when some vendor gets such kind of a opportunity that he deals in something and thats being discussed he immediately wants to sell his goods to everyone .Well in my case i find it very difficult to import to india @ 35% customs and all .Hence i cannot sell at the pricing anything lower then i have online in my store .But i will sell it to any indian who likes to buy and take warranty locally and also my support i can spend hours with people on team viewer to explain the stuff and i never sweat . You Can find most details in my website and that too in english but but from me or anyone else i have no issues .Rates On My Website Are Plus 12.5% Indian Taxes And Rs :75/- Shipping All Across India By Bluedart [ DHL ] .If Someone Internationally Wants This i Can Offer the same Without 12.5% Tax And Free EMS Speedpost Shipping .For This Please Make a Order On My Website But Do Not Pay i will edit your order and then send you a paypal request .If any indian wants it try my service for this my 50% business is programmers these days .

Some People Are Asking About Difference Of TL866A And TL866CS .The TL866A Has ISP Programming Port and a Cable With It That You Can Use For ISP Programming .I would say use cs for repair work and a for repair + embedded designing work .

I can't see spending the big bucks for a Xeltek SuperPro 5000E just for this one application.

Well, Please Send Me The Datasheet of This To [email protected] Or [email protected] and i Will Forward To Them If They Can Do It Next Update Will Have it In The Support List .Well Xeltek Has Gone Nuts .I Am In Touch With them For Distribution in india .They Have So Much Lower Pricing For End User in China Market That I Shiver By Just Seeing The difference ,They Are Or Are Not Wanting to control this It sucks Big Time .As a Manufacturer its thier responsibility ,Plus No Manufacturer like to talk to a distributor who asked these kind of question ,Cos they have no answer to it .The only difference is that they say if you buy from usa you get support .Means what email support well i can give that at my end only .

You were talking about firmware .Well when ever there is a update of software ,Like its ver 5.80 now and you put a programmer to the new software ,it will ask you to update programmer software ,fair enough ,do you know 6 months back it supported 6750++ device only and today it does support 13071 devices .Autoelectric team needs a pat on its back for this .

I smell bullshit on this one. Often these numbers are very inflated because it counts every number or letter variation available even if it's just different package or temperature version which makes no difference to the programming. Or like the generic EPROM profiles which are listed under 10 different manufacturers. Elnec is at least honest in this counting and they describe how it's done (http://www.elnec.com/elnec-device-counter/#explanation).

Also compare their update logs, this is rather short one for the MiniPro (http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MinProUpdate.htm), I don't see the thousands added there. Compare it to Elnec's extensive list (http://www.elnec.com/sw/pg4udrev.txt).

Yes its a kick ass programmer that can be used in production level environments also .I sell it to companies who make stuff and sells them to big American companies who make thousands of dollars selling that to Americans lol .So For you xeltek and elnec are production level stuff well sure they might be but they cannot match or beat the rate of this programmer in support Versus pricing of device support .Let Me Give You a example the Super M is the base level product right they sell it for USD 595/- IMHO .In china there stuff sells much less and they say those are pirated units .Well my foot they are 100% original and actual xeltek ,They cannot regulate thier own pricing .elnec has done that but there is a beeprog model that was cloned and people should not buy it .13000+ library of all stuff mostely used my repairmen and people like you me .

Well as Dave showed some of the devices program rather slowly so it's not suited for high amount of ICs unless you have dedicated person sitting there all day. Even the cheaper Elnec programmer has HW button for repeated programming. For example I can program AT89C2051 under 10 seconds including actually exchanging chips in the socket and labeling each of them. You can't really compare support for $50 programmer and professional device which has 5000 new devices per year and these are real numbers, not those inflated ones. When I need support they reply to me the next day, fix errors in few days by new SW release and can implement new algorithms on demand quite quickly (haven't tested this one yet). I doubt you can really claim that for your programmer.

One thing Elnec has overpriced are those reductions for various packages. They are really expensive compared to the stuff you get bundled with MiniPro, but at least they will last for a longer time, which is again point for production level stuff.

I smell bullshit on this one. Often these numbers are very inflated because it counts every number or letter variation available even if it's just different package or temperature version which makes no difference to the programming. Or like the generic EPROM profiles which are listed under 10 different manufacturers. Elnec is at least honest in this counting and they describe how it's done (http://www.elnec.com/elnec-device-counter/#explanation).

Also compare their update logs, this is rather short one for the MiniPro (http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MinProUpdate.htm), I don't see the thousands added there. Compare it to Elnec's extensive list (http://www.elnec.com/sw/pg4udrev.txt).

Well, Which Programmer of elnec are you trying to compare with this programmer ? .Secondly not many people will know the interface of the software was like willem earlier .Then they added this interface ,you had to select the device in a pull down menu earlier .even if you say they inflate the device count ,i really cannot find anything it does not support for computer repair tech and other budding enginners .Its a Impressive feat when you can get a programmer at your doorstep @ USd 50 Right .Elnec cannot do this in thier dreams .Cos they keep bullshitting about chinese quality and blah blah .This programmer has one slick internal organisation of semiconductors and the guy knows what the hell he is doing . I am not one to defend autoelectric to elnec but man we are talking of 50 dollars here

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Well as Dave showed some of the devices program rather slowly so it's not suited for high amount of ICs unless you have dedicated person sitting there all day. Even the cheaper Elnec programmer has HW button for repeated programming. For example I can program AT89C2051 under 10 seconds including actually exchanging chips in the socket and labeling each of them. You can't really compare support for $50 programmer and professional device which has 5000 new devices per year and these are real numbers, not those inflated ones. When I need support they reply to me the next day, fix errors in few days by new SW release and can implement new algorithms on demand quite quickly (haven't tested this one yet). I doubt you can really claim that for your programmer.

Well, i have no idea but generally the programmer programs everything @ fine speed . We should not be bend upon proving each other viewpoints negatively .You Come To My Country you can get a guy sitting whole day writing eproms .it depends on many specifics boss .

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One thing Elnec has overpriced are those reductions for various packages. They are really expensive compared to the stuff you get bundled with MiniPro, but at least they will last for a longer time, which is again point for production level stuff.

Well, you meant the adapters dave is talking about ? .i could not get this to my head ,care to explain please

I smell bullshit on this one. Often these numbers are very inflated because it counts every number or letter variation available even if it's just different package or temperature version which makes no difference to the programming. Or like the generic EPROM profiles which are listed under 10 different manufacturers. Elnec is at least honest in this counting and they describe how it's done (http://www.elnec.com/elnec-device-counter/#explanation).

Also compare their update logs, this is rather short one for the MiniPro (http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MinProUpdate.htm), I don't see the thousands added there. Compare it to Elnec's extensive list (http://www.elnec.com/sw/pg4udrev.txt).

Well, Which Programmer of elnec are you trying to compare with this programmer ? .Secondly not many people will know the interface of the software was like willem earlier .Then they added this interface ,you had to select the device in a pull down menu earlier .even if you say they inflate the device count ,i really cannot find anything it does not support for computer repair tech and other budding enginners .Its a Impressive feat when you can get a programmer at your doorstep @ USd 50 Right .Elnec cannot do this in thier dreams .Cos they keep bullshitting about chinese quality and blah blah .This programmer has one slick internal organisation of semiconductors and the guy knows what the hell he is doing . I am not one to defend autoelectric to elnec but man we are talking of 50 dollars here

We have SmartProg2 here. I know, it's a bit more than $50 but the support (both devices and personal support) is worth the difference.

You highlighted the high count of supported devices and I don't like that some product is being marketed with hard to believe numbers. We all care about the actual supported chip types and models and not that Autoelectric team can update their device counter the fastest. For some repair shops it may be good enough, for my hobbyist needs it wouldn't be that useful. I get there is no support for 8708 memory since it needs negative voltage (even the Elnec needs special adapter for this) but there is no support for 8748 or 8742 chips. You may say that's too old. OK, looking at new families, for example AVR Xmega or Tiny are missing. These use different algoritms, PDI and TPI respectively. No PIC24s and higher.

One thing Elnec has overpriced are those reductions for various packages. They are really expensive compared to the stuff you get bundled with MiniPro, but at least they will last for a longer time, which is again point for production level stuff.

Well, you meant the adapters dave is talking about ? .i could not get this to my head ,care to explain please

Yes I mean those adapters. Good enough for hobbyists I guess, I just noted that professional programmer accessories is very expensive.

I'm not saying the MiniPro is bad for the price, just that each of these has its market.

We have SmartProg2 here. I know, it's a bit more than $50 but the support (both devices and personal support) is worth the difference.You highlighted the high count of supported devices and I don't like that some product is being marketed with hard to believe numbers. We all care about the actual supported chip types and models and not that Autoelectric team can update their device counter the fastest. For some repair shops it may be good enough, for my hobbyist needs it wouldn't be that useful. I get there is no support for 8708 memory since it needs negative voltage (even the Elnec needs special adapter for this) but there is no support for 8748 or 8742 chips. You may say that's too old. OK, looking at new families, for example AVR Xmega or Tiny are missing. These use different algoritms, PDI and TPI respectively. No PIC24s and higher.

Hee Hee ,

I Bit Expensive man its expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee .BTW as i said it depends what you you are into .Like i am into Repairing of IT products and Data Recovery .It works beautifully for Me .

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Yes I mean those adapters. Good enough for hobbyists I guess, I just noted that professional programmer accessories is very expensive.I'm not saying the MiniPro is bad for the price, just that each of these has its market.

Sure , BTW Dave is wrong .Programmer comes with zero adapters .the chap who is selling to dave is bundling those and he is bundling the most hopeless once out there .If i was the one using i would never use a basic plcc adapter .I would use a ZIFF .BTW this is for anyone .Lets assume we are using a socket of ABCD company on the pcb from a chinese adapter manufacturer selling for USd 25 and the same ABCD socket is in a elnec and xeltek .they Are Selling for USD 250/- .Whats the difference Cos the ziff socket on the top pcb is same company .This is a example i am saying .what socket is being used can be checked .I would also say that a a better ziff socket in this programmer is needed .Might be something like that stupid TOP series programmer .That has a sexy Ziff dip socket man very rugged .

Dave should populate the ICSP header and just give it a shot.. but its probably disabled in firmware..

can we just flash the other firmware on it ??

/Kyndal

Well, i think he should not otherwise like that wellon it will end up in the bin lol .i am sure there is a different firmware to it .Also he will need us or a new tl866a to see if he can do that this will be a great hack if possible .In my case i could make a pcb adapter and do isp programming if required as i am just learning 8051 mcu's these days .ideal brain can never stop working lol

And programmers are one of those pieces of equipment which, IMO, have been massively overpriced for the actual complexity - and the hardware/software received. And then you have companies like Xeltek constantly cranking out 'newer' models - and then ending support on 'older' models: I'm currently running a patched x64 driver created by another user because Xeltek is not providing x64 drivers for certain older models.

And programmers are one of those pieces of equipment which, IMO, have been massively overpriced for the actual complexity - and the hardware/software received. And then you have companies like Xeltek constantly cranking out 'newer' models - and then ending support on 'older' models: I'm currently running a patched x64 driver created by another user because Xeltek is not providing x64 drivers for certain older models.

Sir , mind sharing the model and more details of that patched driver ? .interesting info

mind sharing the model and more details of that patched driver ? .interesting info

Model is SuperPro 280U - an older USB programmer from Xeltek - which I spent a few hundred bucks for. The patched driver you can find via this page. (http://www.arcades.plus.com/Superpro280U.htm)

The quote from Xeltek (mentioned on the linked page above) explaining why they aren't providing 64-bit drivers for their older USB programmers reminds me why I really love some equipment manufacturers - and how gosh-darned upset I get when devices get cloned:

And programmers are one of those pieces of equipment which, IMO, have been massively overpriced for the actual complexity - and the hardware/software received. And then you have companies like Xeltek constantly cranking out 'newer' models - and then ending support on 'older' models: I'm currently running a patched x64 driver created by another user because Xeltek is not providing x64 drivers for certain older models.

Question is how much do you think they are overpriced. You can get the hardware parts alone for cheap, yes. But to have the whole product cheap, you have to cut payments to all the people doing R&D, assembly, testing, support, documentation and all their equipment. The difference between low cost project like this and professional, massively overpriced, product is still pretty evident. Like many people said before, making the hardware is easy but programmers rely on quality software, documentation and quick support. $50 programmer won't get you detailed built-in notes for every single chip or API/library for external control or on demand updates for any chip which is verified with actual IC, not just datasheets.

And programmers are one of those pieces of equipment which, IMO, have been massively overpriced for the actual complexity - and the hardware/software received. And then you have companies like Xeltek constantly cranking out 'newer' models - and then ending support on 'older' models: I'm currently running a patched x64 driver created by another user because Xeltek is not providing x64 drivers for certain older models.

Question is how much do you think they are overpriced. You can get the hardware parts alone for cheap, yes. But to have the whole product cheap, you have to cut payments to all the people doing R&D, assembly, testing, support, documentation and all their equipment. The difference between low cost project like this and professional, massively overpriced, product is still pretty evident. Like many people said before, making the hardware is easy but programmers rely on quality software, documentation and quick support. $50 programmer won't get you detailed built-in notes for every single chip or API/library for external control or on demand updates for any chip which is verified with actual IC, not just datasheets.

It's takes a LOT of effort to support programmers, I know, I used to do it in a small way selling my own EPROM programmer software. And that was just for EPROM's, let alone all the other devices available today.Xeltek is an American company paying American wages. They might manufacture in china, and have a small group in Korea, but there are a lot of American workers. They have also been around since 1987. Do you think AutoElectric will still be around in that time frame?Good support from a good company costs money.In a business environment, the cost of a programmer is trivial compared to the cost of time and loss of business if your tool doesn't work properly.You can't complain about them not offering latest OS support to an old tool, that is common in the industry across all sorts of products. But if you have an issue, and you are genuine customer, I'm sure they'll help you out.

With Autoelectric (and other cheap programmers) you pay your $50 and take your chances. If you want better piece of mind and support, you have to pay for it.

You can't complain about them not offering latest OS support to an old tool, that is common in the industry across all sorts of products. But if you have an issue, and you are genuine customer, I'm sure they'll help you out.

Sorry, but this is just not true. The Xeltek programmer I own was first released a couple of years AFTER XP 64-bit was released, and there was a large base of users (including myself) clamoring for 64-bit support from Xeltek for a long time (with the above posted quote their general response). They basically made the decision not to bother with putting ANY time into offering 64-bit drivers except with newer models they released. This has nothing to do with the latest OS support (unless you consider a 2001 OS as the latest) - it's just a lazy and/or stupid business practice - and I don't doubt they lost some previous customers because of it. They certainly lost my business.

It's takes a LOT of effort to support programmers, I know, I used to do it in a small way selling my own EPROM programmer software. And that was just for EPROM's, let alone all the other devices available today.

Well since the time you did it and now things have changed ,you have powerful mcu.easy tools even visual software to do coding things have changed .

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Xeltek is an American company paying American wages. They might manufacture in china, and have a small group in Korea, but there are a lot of American workers. They have also been around since 1987. Do you think AutoElectric will still be around in that time frame? .Good support from a good company costs money.In a business environment, the cost of a programmer is trivial compared to the cost of time and loss of business if your tool doesn't work properly.You can't complain about them not offering latest OS support to an old tool, that is common in the industry across all sorts of products. But if you have an issue, and you are genuine customer, I'm sure they'll help you out.

Well They Sell a Superpro M @ USD 595 in US .Same product 100% original sells @ USD 300 Approx in china .A guy like you or me who buy it from either source is a genuine customer .Now they tell me that they will support the American guy cos he paid more and not the guy who got 100% original product from china @ less price .This is BS and double standards .Dave why are we even comparing TL866CS and TL866A to Xeltek and Elnec .Its out of the question .Lets compare it with willem ,nano ,the gx some thing something ,sofitech [ though sofitech is just a serial programmer and does not do older parallel ic ] and many other low cost programmers .According to you Weilei Wellon brand Programmer is what "Heap of crap " .Well i can tell you that they are dedicated people making programmers .Thier VP-990 and VP-590 Are Kick Ass programmers and can give the expensive brands run for thier money .I cannot remember but many many people rebrand and sell thier stuff .One so called indian universal programmer company called uc micro also .Thier website is www.ucmicrosys.com (http://www.ucmicrosys.com) .As a reseller i can sell Autoelectric in low end ,wellon vp-590 in mid and vp-990 in high end and if i can review those properly i am sure it can give the big daddies run for its money man .My 50% business is selling programmers and i do a lot of checking here and thier to get the best deals and the best stuff for selling .i do not say you guys cannot have your viewpoints but i can seriously suggest these three programmers to anyone looking out for one .

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With Autoelectric (and other cheap programmers) you pay your $50 and take your chances. If you want better piece of mind and support, you have to pay for it.

Haa Haa , Well sure we want peace of mind hence we just come to eevblog and discuss,fight,etc etc .You know something this blog is a goldmine of ideas and i love it .I would love to be here most of the time of the day .Try downloading sofitech programmer also from www.sofi-tech.com (http://www.sofi-tech.com) .they also have a open source 8051 programmer called the willar SP200S simple version and is a great diy 8051 programmer .I sell it its cool and the software too is nice .

PS :i would love a thread where we discuss the big daddies out there in programmers

hi , has anyone seen this -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willem-Programmer-40pin-ZIF-True-USB-Universal-High-Speed-Generation-Automatic-/261154425579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cce044aeb (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willem-Programmer-40pin-ZIF-True-USB-Universal-High-Speed-Generation-Automatic-/261154425579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cce044aeb) .How is the software like can someone share the same please .

It's true that it takes a lot of resources to maintain and upgrade many different products.

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The Xeltek programmer I own was first released a couple of years AFTER XP 64-bit was released, and there was a large base of users (including myself) clamoring for 64-bit support from Xeltek for a long time (with the above posted quote their general response). They basically made the decision not to bother with putting ANY time into offering 64-bit drivers except with newer models they released. This has nothing to do with the latest OS support (unless you consider a 2001 OS as the latest) - it's just a lazy and/or stupid business practice - and I don't doubt they lost some previous customers because of it. They certainly lost my business.

So you know their business that intimately you can make the call that they are just being lazy, and that there are no other factors involved?What if they have looked at it and it simply does not business sense for them to do so?How "large" is that base of users who actually want that support really? A few dozen people on a forum having a whinge maybe?What if trying to update and maintain that old programmer as well as all their new ones would strain that company resources so much that ALL the products and support would suffer? Or heck, the company is then stretched so thinly resource wise that they ended up losing rep, sales, and eventually folding. Then where will you be?

The model you are complaining about, the SuperPro 280U, dates from 2003, making it 10 years old!

Sorry, but the reality always comes down to does it make business sense to maintain older products, and for how long. They are not stupid or lazy, just making a call that it's not in best interest to update a 10 year legacy product to the latest O/S.

The model you are complaining about, the SuperPro 280U, dates from 2003, making it 10 years old!

And continually sold by them until at least 2011 - but that's not the point. 64-bit Windows has been around for 12 years - that's the point. But in any case, we have different opinions on the subject, and I just won't buy my next programmer from Xeltek.

And anyone who bought it in 2011 knowing it didn't have 64bit support, and knowing (or should have known) it dates from 2003, should have reasoned that maybe, if they haven't done so after all this time, they weren't ever to release a 64bit version. They only have themselves to blame I think.Offering a product for that long is actually a good thing, it means that customers who's processes dictate that they cannot change their tools easily are able to continue to buy it. I note that Xeltek will also service old products as well.

Whenever I buy a programmer, I always check if it's a) the latest model, and b) does it support all current O/S flavours.

Sorry, but this is just not true. The Xeltek programmer I own was first released a couple of years AFTER XP 64-bit was released, and there was a large base of users (including myself) clamoring for 64-bit support from Xeltek for a long time (with the above posted quote their general response).

Windows XP 64-bit was essentially a desktop version of Windows 2003 server, and never had proper hardware support. Even support from the major hardware manufacturers was lacking. I think you can cut a small niche manufacturer some slack for not supporting it. Windows Vista 64-bit only saw limited adoption for business applications. Windows 7 64-bit was the first 64-bit desktop Windows version that was widely adopted by businesses. In 2003, 64-bit Windows versions were usually limited to servers or workstation applications requiring lots of RAM. EEPROM programming falls in neither of these categories.

Will see how it works under Wine too, otherwise I will have to install a VM on the laptop and run the Win7 that it came with ( used once to make the backup DVD's ( 2 sets) just in case) in a VM or as a non networked version.

Will see how it works under Wine too, otherwise I will have to install a VM on the laptop and run the Win7 that it came with ( used once to make the backup DVD's ( 2 sets) just in case) in a VM or as a non networked version.

At work currently, as the XP box died ( used really for outlook, and the odd bit of writing in word) a slow lingering death ( and not only from creeping slowness from patch tuesday). So in the interim I am using linux on my laptop there, where I use the web view of outlook ( works well enough) and Gimp ( usual thing for photo's and other photo editing) and an older version of open office. works well enough, and have been using linux as a desktop for years, started with Redhat years ago and migrated to Ubuntu.

Hi,Can anyone having this programmer check if the AVR mega and tiny programming is in HVSP mode? If that is the case this will be very useful for rescuing those dead chips because of wrong fuse setting.

Well it is from Taobao aka Chinese eBay. The actual link is below. There are couple of sellers selling TL866CS at RMB258 bundled with several SOP adaptors. However order from them directly may be problematic for many peoples here because you need a China bank account, communicate with them in Chinese and most sellers do not ship overseas.

But I understand in many countries there are agents doing concierge services from Taobao.com. I'm using www.sgalipay.com (http://www.sgalipay.com) in Singapore. Ian of dangerousprototype had one blog http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/10/02/shopping-taobao-our-first-steps/ (http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/10/02/shopping-taobao-our-first-steps/) on how to shop from US.

The shop link is: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.5.0.41.rz3cTZ&id=12823433153 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.5.0.41.rz3cTZ&id=12823433153)As I'm not affiliated to any particular shops, here is the "search" link that gives you all shopshttp://s.taobao.com/search?q=TL866CS&searcy_type=item&s_from=newHeader&source=&ssid=s5-e&search=y (http://s.taobao.com/search?q=TL866CS&searcy_type=item&s_from=newHeader&source=&ssid=s5-e&search=y)

Can anyone having this programmer check if the AVR mega and tiny programming is in HVSP mode? If that is the case this will be very useful for rescuing those dead chips because of wrong fuse setting.

According to the official website: autoelectric.cn, the MiniPro does indeed program Atmel AVR IC's in your choice of ISP or parrallel (HV) programming. However, I'm not sure if this still applies to the TL866CS or just the TL866A.

@ All , Could you please pass on all the chinglish issues .I will solve them in the future updates please .

@ dave , Could you please post in the blog and youtube that people can pass chinglish issues to my email id sales[At]lynxdealerstore.com .

Note : Replace [at] With @ ;)

When running the application on any of the laptops that I have access too (all Dell's with Intel Mobile series 4 chipsets and running XPSP3) a bug in the gui is apparent - the application window does not scale itself correctly. Since you cannot manual adjust the window size the scroll bars have to be used to view the contents of the window.

Hi - just received a TL866 off of Ebay. I am having the same GUI issues as a recent poster.I used the MiniPro 5.80 software & 3.2.59 hardware on a desktop AMD - WinXPand an Intel i3 laptop with Win7 - 64 bit. Changing the program start properties from 'Normal Window' to 'Maximized' helps the display some but many items are still shown in the wrong locations.

I have tried changing display resolutions, compatibility settings, reload the software, etc. and still a screwy GUI.

The programmer works fine but you can't select anything in the IC CONFIG MENU because the VPP-VDD-VCC-DELAY all appear in the middle of the data table.............

I just got mine yesterday. I was playing around dumping old bios roms that I had salvaged a long time ago when I was pleased to find that the "Logic IC" does, in fact, test 74xx, 40xx, and mc14xxx chips. When he heard that my friend bought one on the spot! I would be really excited if I can send in bugs that I find and chips that I would like to see supported to the software developers. I have yet to try out my ICSP header I soldered in, but I plan to later tonight or tomorrow, the software doesn't seem to know what model it is. The pic18f87j50 (if they are all the same) has a programming header right on the board, I may try dumping and backing up the firmware just in case they try to remove ICSP functionality on future firmware updates.

I was able to check all the logic ICs on my 'SD systems z80 starter kit' except the 21L02 sram, 2316 prom, 75452 nand gates, and the mc14538. With a little more support for discreet logic chips I can see this programmer as an invaluable tool in debugging vintage computers. The one thing I was surprised about was the lack of 74xx595/597 support. Isn't that one of the most common hobbyist 74-series chips used today? I could totally see myself using this programmer weekly for years to come if support is continually added as it looks like it might be.

Just playing around with the software, considering purchasing this thing.

For all y'all experiencing GUI issues, try this tool. It lets you resize any window.ResizeEnablehttp://www.digitallis.co.uk/pc/downloads.html (http://www.digitallis.co.uk/pc/downloads.html)

Works pretty well. Just resize it so the scrollbars go away. I still get some GUI oddness but I can fix most of it by switching tabs using those skinny buttons on the top right. I had thought it was a resolution problem but I've tried a bunch of resolutions right up to 1920x1200 to no avail. Annoying.

Amarbir, any chance for a bugfix? I'm on XP SP3.

[EDIT] Actually, I can't get all the parts of the UI to show. Was about to buy this thing but until the software gets fixed I'm going to keep looking...[EDIT2] Decided to mess with this more. Seems to be an XP problem. Issue happens under my other WinXP machine, but not on my Win7 laptop. I however need it to work on my WinXP machine.

Just playing around with the software, considering purchasing this thing.

For all y'all experiencing GUI issues, try this tool. It lets you resize any window.ResizeEnablehttp://www.digitallis.co.uk/pc/downloads.html (http://www.digitallis.co.uk/pc/downloads.html)

Works pretty well. Just resize it so the scrollbars go away. I still get some GUI oddness but I can fix most of it by switching tabs using those skinny buttons on the top right. I had thought it was a resolution problem but I've tried a bunch of resolutions right up to 1920x1200 to no avail. Annoying.

Amarbir, any chance for a bugfix? I'm on XP SP3.

[EDIT] Actually, I can't get all the parts of the UI to show. Was about to buy this thing but until the software gets fixed I'm going to keep looking...[EDIT2] Decided to mess with this more. Seems to be an XP problem. Issue happens under my other WinXP machine, but not on my Win7 laptop. I however need it to work on my WinXP machine.

Correct , This issue is only in some machine .My IBM thinkpad running XP does not have it my HP Nx6325 Has It .

Just got mine. Thanks Frankie, arrived in one piece, nicely packed and with all the adaptors ( could have used the PLCC extractor last week, but a screwdriver worked well enough to get the prom out, must look at the old one to see what the difference is in the versions in that phone) and with some nice looking stamps.

Tried it out after updating Wine, but Mmmm, no comms. Must look into getting it to work, might have to install a VM to use it. Rebooted into the original Win7 ( wow, so long since the upgrade to Ubuntu, must edit out all those old kernels from it, to get the boot menu all onto one page again) for the second time. Installed the software and plugged it in. Do test and it wants to upgrade the firmware, so did it.

Dug out some old eproms, and they do read, and are blank ( should be, they were erased a few times in the eraser some years ago, and were new anyway) so wrote them all to 00. Verified and they pass. Tried an old used eprom from a fax that was wacked by lightning, and it read it. Then wrote all to 00, and it did it.

Finally got cheesed off with rebooting and installed Virtualbox from Oracle ( not the one in the repository, though I tried that first then uninstalled it as I needed the Oracle USB abilities as well) and it works well. Found a still in box copy of Win98 ( must have missed installing it on a machine some years ago, still has the stickers and the boot diskette in the package) and a copy of XP as well. XP installed a lot faster on the VM than what I remember from doing it on bare metal, hardware sure has changed from installing it on a 128M 450MHz Celeron, now it has a core or two to use, and is blissfully unaware it is on a VM. Gave up on passing files to it ( might look it up later to get stuff out, but I can mount the VM as a disk when it is off) and made an ISO to pass the 2 files I wanted to pass to it, then mounted it and installed the minipro software, driver and it connected first time, passed self test and worked. Pared it down by getting most of the bloatware off it as well.

You've used a virtual machine to get it running, but is Wine a definite no-go? I'm considering getting one of these but would really like to stay in Linux to use it.

wine is still a work in progress for USB direct communications, so I used a sledgehammer. As a plus now I can use a few of those DMM and other programs that are windoze only, and I did, after some digging, find a XP install disk. Anybody want a copy of Win98, got a few of those coasters around still, even got a few CD's of the service packs and all the updates as well.

Just an update, the latest MiniPro v5.91 program runs flawlessly at Win XP SP3 inside VMWare Player version 4.0.4 running at Win 7 x64 host.

Regarding the program's gui problem at XP, the solution posted by radioman fixed it :-+ , and only needs up to step 3 (and reboot). It doesn't need to proceed to step 4 which is to install Chinese language as pointed out by spagamoto.

Hi guys! yes, step 3 is enough and do the job. Step 4,5,6 actually is a trick for preserving installed files in case you change the language for non-unicode programs. If you have English as language for non-unicode programs and you do not change that setting, yes only step 3 is needed, but if you change to a diferrent language for non-unicode and do not take step 4 then OS will replace Chinese fonts with another files and after first reboot the problem will reapear.

And now for programmers/connoisseurs:The problem is a non existing monospaced(fixed) font in Win XP. They use C++ MFC framework for programming and a frame/dialog template model. And yes in case of changing dialog font, the parent frame must be resized to fit the new size of child dialog, but I believe they hard coded size values, and if dialog is resized to fit new content, parent frame remain smaller than dialog template and system will add scrollbars. Its a dumb bug.Cheers!

It is possible to reflash firmware. All you need is the full version of firmware and a pic programmer. I managed to do that, but is somewhat risky to brick the device. For all interested I have the full version of firmware, but at this moment I can't post it. Also I've done reverse engineering of the schematic diagram for this programmer:TL866.pdf (http://bit.ly/14NkFMI)

Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map look like this:00000-017FF=Boot loader01800-1FFFF=main firmware.The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-1FFFF), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware for both version and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.Cheers and 73.

Nope. The controller is Pic18F87j50 and has no internal Eeprom. Its same hardware for both CS and A version, but firmware is diferrent. Internal flash memory map look like this:00000-017FF=Boot loader01800-FFFFF=main firmware.The firmware upgrade process will reflash only second portion(01800-fffff), and boot loader code contains device version and serial code. The file update.dat contains encrypted firmware for both version and is transmitted encrypted over usb. The decryption key is contained in the bootloader and decryption is done also by the bootloader which remain unchanged for entire life of the programmer. The hard work was the firmware decryption (done by an Ukrainian guy). Unfortunately erasing microcontroller and reprogram it does not preserve original device serial number, but I think it is possible to patch .hex with original serial number.Cheers and 73.

Well, Thats One Brilliant Reverse Eng Done There Boss .If You Use Your Own Serial Code And Device Version What Happens ? .BTW with serial code you mean serial number right ? and by device code you mean if its CS or A .

Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software and I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:TL866A_firmware.zip (http://bit.ly/12guRXa)You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware. Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.Cheers!

Well, yes I mean serial number, right. I don't know if CS or A depends on devcode, it is there by reference only. About your own serial number and devcode, I've looked at minipro software and I'm not seen anything suspect, it is only displayed in the about box. Probably in the future, developers will implement something like a black list to ban some devices, I don't know. Right now I'm not have enough spare time to study disassembled firmware. The schematic diagram is for didactic/repair purpose. If anyone want to look, here is firmware:https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7jjr3s9wet4kf0/TL866A_firmware.zip (https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7jjr3s9wet4kf0/TL866A_firmware.zip)You will need an pic programmer (pickit2 or another TL866A is good) to reflash the firmware. Hook the programmer to the J1 connector, load the hex file and reflash. The serial number and devcode will be changed, but don't worry it will work. If the programmer is an CS version then will be transformed into the full A version, just solder an connector on the unpopulated ICSP and voila! I'm not responsible for bricked devices, you are just warned.Cheers!

Well, Its late nigh here but this is bliss hee hee .Will trouble you more :-DD

For anyone interested I wrote a small utility which generates the full TL866A firmware, based on custom serial. The software allows and firmware update (like minipro but with more options). For full firmware upgrade you will need an pic programmer and firmware hex file generated by this utility; for regular upgrade you will need the update.dat file from minipro software and this software utility. If you have Windows XP make sure you have installed net framework (at least version 2.0). The software is not finished yet, but if someone wants to try it is ok, because I have not enough time available.Sugestions, questions and opinions are welcome, thank you.Updated: May 08,2013. Fixed minor bugs, please redownload.Updated May 16,2013. Fixed schematic diagram drawing mistake.Updated November 23,2013. Introduced firmware dump option.Updated November 25,2013. Introduced CS firmware generator.Updated November 30,2013. New version.Updated February 8,2014. New version.Updated May 5,2016. New version.TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)

Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.TL866 Upgrade procedure (http://bit.ly/13bM8DH)

Because i received a few emails asking me for firmware upgrade procedure, i decided to write detailed instructions on how to do this. BTW my english sucks, if someone do not understand something, please reply here. Thank you.TL866 Upgrade procedure (http://bit.ly/13bM8DH)

Thanks , For The Amazing Job Done And Sharing It Freely With All Of Us .Do Let me Know If I Can Do Something For You in Return Ever From India .

Well Thanks for the kind words Amarbir, i decided to do that because i found no information on how to repair this device. After couple of mails exchanged with some guys from autoelectric, they decided that in case of an corrupted firmware you must buy another device, and i don't want to do this. The hard job was with decryption, very complex alogorithm btw., but good knowledge of assembler and programming gives positive result. Now, if this can help anyone in this world having the same problem why not to share?

thank you for your work on the tl866!When i am looking at the schematics, it occurs that the voltage generators for VDD and VPP are controlled by just 3bits each.Is that correct? How is it possible to support such a big range of chips with voltage generators like these?

Radioman, just a suggestion, you should create a new thread maybe under "Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff" section for that excellent mod you've done there :-+, rather than buried deep under in this gigantic thread unnoticed, you deserved better and big an applause from greater audience.

@computar, yes the voltage generators are controlled by 3bits each, this is correct. For 3bits we have 2^3=8 values of voltage for each voltage generated and I think that is enough. The big range of chips are not so big, they artificially inflated the supported list, you will find the same chip under many manufacturers and several package types, but in fact is just the same chip.

@BravoV, thanks for suggestion, perhaps this is what i do in the future, right now i will stay here a while. As i seen, many youtubers who watched Dave review landed here and this is good, not to say that a search on Google by tl866 firmware or tl866 schematic will give us first result this thread. But if the project will advance i will create a new thread as you suggested me, thanks again.For statistical purposes i monitored the links posted and well, people are interested, over 30 countries so far :) and this is not real statistics btw. My goal is if possible, to document the protocol used by this device and to help the open source/Linux community because they have always been less privileged. But this is hard work, the manufacturer should do this, but they are not interested, they only provide Windows support and if you have a major problem, like for ex. a firmware corruption then you must buy another device, they will not give you a new firmware, its a shame. But for $50 we want too much. Ok. i was bad, is Easter in my country and i should be good these days.Cheers!

My goal is if possible, to document the protocol used by this device and to help the open source/Linux community because they have always been less privileged. But this is hard work, the manufacturer should do this, but they are not interested, they only provide Windows support and if you have a major problem, like for ex. a firmware corruption then you must buy another device, they will not give you a new firmware, its a shame.

I don't think the manufacturer will ever release the protocol or open up to public, its like dog eat dog business in China, once opened wide, tons of this TL866 clone copies will flood the market like there is no tomorrow. :-DD

I don't think the manufacturer will ever release the protocol or open up to public, its like dog eat dog business in China, once opened wide, tons of this TL866 clone copies will flood the market like there is no tomorrow. :-DD

Well, you right, Chinese are known as copycats. Probably they work hard these days to release first clone of the TL866, he he!. I've seen in the downloaded links referrers a lot of countries marked as unknown, I expected to be from China. We will see what will happen. The protocol itself is not very complicated, i discovered myself a couple of commands, you only need an USB sniffer and a little bit of imagination. The chips database is separated from the main program and I think it is easy to dump the content in the another well known database file, like sqlite or something. Once we have the protocol and chip database an open source cross platform project can be started. But this means time and possible the manufacturer will abandon this programmer, we will see. Btw in my country when you write something complicated with few words we call this "wood language"; sorry if my English is wood. :-DD

Well I don't think so, I think they will release a a patch to stop clones, but in the same time they must support existing devices, its a trap, we will see. I talked with some guys from technical support and they are very reticent, the only help that they will give you is "reinstall driver" or "try to another computer" and shit like this. Man I know what a driver is, I wrote a few, and I know how things works i say. After that they will ignore you. So I make my own support like in Linux, he he! If they have balls it will continue to provide software releases.

I've tried email few times their support asking for adding a new chip which should be very easy to implement and still no reply, also asked Franky (iloveelectronics) for help since he is Chinese to post a request in their language, and still no luck. :(

What I want is pretty simple, its just adding a support for a F-RAM chip FM1608 which is drop in replacement for the notorious Maxim DS1225 battery backed up SRAM which already supported at TL866. The only difference is just a really-really minor signaling sequence. I ended with 3 wasted F-RAM chips -> HERE (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/tektronix-2465b-oscilloscope-teardown/msg213270/#msg213270). Yeah, partly also my own fault as a noob. :'(

radioman, share their support email please ? The one that replies. ::)

And I assumed you were using English right ?

English right.

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My request:Hello! I purchased an TL866A from eBay and after changing from minipro software version 5.80 to 5.91 and after request from software to reflash internal firmware, the programmer is now dead. I think the internal firmware is corupted, device is not seen anymore by the software, and by the computer. The little yellow LED its not blinking anymore when I put the USB cable into the device. My request is if possible to reflash internal firmware (I had another tl866 programmer), because the USB method its not working anymore. I can't imagine how easy was to brick this $100 device. Just click reflash firmware, and after that the software hang's about 10 seconds and that was, not seen anymore as device by the computer.Thank you for support!

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Response:The most likely cause is that the USB driver error, and so can not find the device.Normal , even if the upgrade fails, you can refresh also.put your device into another computer USB interface and give it a try, see the USB port does not respond?

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Me again:Well, first thank you for response, second, I tried this on three different computers and same result. Device is not seen by the computers, its not appears in device manager in any form. I tried even a Usbview utility and he's tell my that USB port is not used by any device. Its appears blank port. I tried another TL866 from a friend of mine an that is working properly, just this is has a problem. I notice at the working one when I put the cable in USB socket, the yellow led blinks. My TL866 do not blink the yellow led.To resume: I have two TL866A.device no 1 its working when is plugged in the USB port.device no2 do not work, is appears like is not connected to the computer, only red led is light, the yellow led do not blink. This issue appeared after an failed firmware upgrade. What should I do next?

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Their response:HiYou may remove USB driver, and restart windows.then reinstall USB driver. When failed firmware upgrade it is allowed to reflash the firmware.

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Me:But the programmer is not present as USB device man, minipro software do not see the programmer. I can't reflash from minipro software. It is possible to reflash internal microcontroller by other method? I need the internal firmware of microcontroller to reflash manually via another programmer. Can you give me the firmware hex file? if you don't give me the firmware file then I drop the programmer to bin, and I will buy another TL866A, but what should I do if corruption of firmware will happen again? i'm not so glad to buy a programmer every 30 days. Why internal firmware is not well protected from corruption? in case of computer crash during flash upgrade, the programmer firmware will be overwritten and customers cannot do anything for device restoration. Who guarantee me if I buy another programmer it will not happen again? well questions and questions. I will be very glad if you will answer me to this questions, and tell me how to restore device in its working state.Thanks for support again.

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he:As pic shown, the connection of a 100 ohm resistor, you can reflashafter the Upgrade is completed , and remove it.

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Me:OK, i soldered a 100ohm resistor between 3.3V and pin36 of microcontroller, it has no effect, same result, device is not seen by the computer. The red LED stay light, the yellow LED its not blinking. Minipro software not see the programmer, is not appearing in the device manager / UsbView. I think the internal firmware of microcontroller has been compomissed. What is the unsoldered J1 connector? its appear like a standard LVP ICSP programming interface. Bellow is the soldered resistor like you teel me:So what to do?

And after that total silence, i tried another email but no response. So here i started reverse engineering, now you know. The data corruption was caused by a faulty usb hub, so beware.

Hi PA0PBZ, glad to see you happy, thanks for your feedback. The schematic diagram swapped VCC and GND drawing issue on J1 is corrected now, please download again on posted links or here:TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)Related to PicKit3 hex issue i will investigate, but from what you say me in PM most likely is a software issue. The hex file was tested on another TL866A and PicKit2, and worked. Do you solder any connector on unpopulated ICSP?

Related to PicKit3 hex issue i will investigate, but from what you say me in PM most likely is a software issue. The hex file was tested on another TL866A and PicKit2, and worked.

It loaded fine in MPLAB, but not in the standalone PICkit 3 programmer. I think it's more or less abandoned by microchip, I had a hard time finding it. So don't worry, it is probably some weird stuff in that program, although it could load a hex file that it produced itself.

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Do you solder any connector on unpopulated ICSP?

Yes, fortunately I had some strips in stock so I just cut off 6 pins and soldered it in place. Tomorrow I will check if it will read/program some chips and report back.

I did some testing with a few PIC chips and found something strange.First test was with a 12F629, which worked ok in the ZIF socket and with the PICkit 3. Connected to the ICSP connector it said "wrong device id", it was reading 3E while it should read 7C. Hmm, that is 00111110 when it should be 01111100. So I hooked up a scope (x10 probe) to the PGD pin to see what was going on and then it was reading ok... What? I then placed a 47P cap from PGD to ground and it worked ok. I tried the same with a 16F630 and it also needed the cap or the scope. Then I tried a 18F252 but could not get it to work at all, device id stayed at 0000. Same for another 18F.

It looks like a timing error somehow, but it is hard to tell when it works ok trying to measure it...Anyone else seeing the same or care to try?

Sounds like a pullups/pulldowns resistors for me, maybe the CS variant does not have these resistors soldered? if you look on the schematic diagram at cpu section you will see ten 51K resistors wich are controlled by the RB1 line, check if those resistors are soldered:(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vbyqnDrOiRU/UZeJFXYzWRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/JedMrshKyM4/s800/resistors.jpg)Here are only nine resistors, one is soldered on the reverse side of the pcb.

Also at the suggestion of PA0PBZ i have to fix a bug in the hex file generator wich cause pickit3 software to not load generated hex. Thank you!Download here or on any posted links: TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)

No, all the resistors are there. I can't find any unpopulated parts at first sight, but I did not take it apart, hate to put the leds back.

I did some more testing and found that it works ok with the scope probe on either clock or data. Measured the probe and it is 12M/13pF. And indeed, when I put a 15pF cap on the clock or data line everything is fine. Using a pull up or down resistor makes no difference. Also, it seems that it only has trouble reading the id, the first thing it does. When I uncheck "Check device ID" it reads the program memory fine.

I wonder what those 10 resistors are supposed to do, they are also on some pins that are not connected to the ICSP.

hmm... seems like a timming problem, AFAIK they implemented serial communication as bitbanging in software, probably they set the clock frequency too high. Also check if the cable you use is not to long. The ten resistors are needed probably by the i2c and spi communication on ZIF socket.

I looked at the timing to see if it was on the edge of failing, but it looks fine to me. I even decoded what it does getting the ID and it all makes sense, set address, inc address a few times and then a read command. Looks like it reads the data on the falling clock, and from programmer -> PIC it changes the data in the middle of the high clock, and from PIC-> programmer the data is changed at the rising clock. There is a bit of crosstalk between the clock and data but nothing serious I think. Unfortunately I have not yet found a way to measure without fixing the problem.

The two diagrams looks good, the read from pic is a little bit strange but the PGD line is set by the pic in this case, probably the read routine in the main software is reading the PGD too early, I think. The CPU frequency is set to 48MHz now, maybe slowing down a little bit can resolve this issue, but you have to deal with the config bytes (cpdiv0 and cpdiv1 if I remember correctly), I have programmed a couple of atmel avr's and pic18f but don't have any problems yet.

Well, I managed to get a scope shot from both the good and the bad read by connecting the scope to the ZIF socket, which is in parallel with the ICSP connector. Looks like it shifts the data one bit indeed, which I already suspected.Reading the ID of a 12F629 which should be 7C (01111100) I see 3E (00111110) when things go wrong, see attachment.Doing the same with a 16F630 (ID 86, 10000110) it reads 23 (00100011) in error. I'd almost think that the PIC sees an extra clock cycle, that would explain the shift. The only thing is, I don't see it on the scope screen. And still, a 15pF cap over the clock line at the PIC fixes it.

I don't believe in a software bug, there is no extra clock pulse to be seen and the data is coming out of the PIC, not the programmer. It looks like the PIC sees an extra clock pulse but I can't see it with the scope. Also I still don't see how a 15pF cap can cure it if it is a software bug. It must be something in the hardware, I only wish that I could see it on the scope. Oh well, maybe just a little bit more fiddling...

Oh... well, data coming out of the PIC not programmer, i was thinking that data was out from programmer. This is very strange indeed. 15pF cap on the line makes me think about the line impedance too high and a small cap value matter. How the supply voltage is applied to the PIC? maybe a decoupling cap on the PIC voltage rail is needed?Strange, very strange to tell.

The PIC ID is coming from the PIC of course :)I tried all kinds of decoupling and pull up and down stuff, but that did not make any difference. However, I think I captured the problem part, it looks like a bad clock that appears just before the PIC spits out the ID, see attachment. A bit weird, because all the other clock edges look much better.

Probably the extra capacitance delays the signal so the latch internal to the programmer gets a valid data level, most likely it is being latched just as the signal is being changed, and depending on the device, temperature and supply voltage it will read one or the other. The delay slows it down to a time afterwards when it is stable,

Had plenty of fun with this on cards that would nominally be perfectly functional, but just would not work with each other. Change one or the other and it works. Then take to operating temp of 120C and see if it still works, if not try another card. then take to the ATE and let it run through diagnostics for 5 hours and see if it fails, generally not, but it might do so again in a year.

Probably the extra capacitance delays the signal so the latch internal to the programmer gets a valid data level, most likely it is being latched just as the signal is being changed, and depending on the device, temperature and supply voltage it will read one or the other.

The clock goes to the PIC, it looks like the PIC sees an extra clock cycle and starts to spit out the data bits one clock early (01111100 -> 00111110)I also don't see why the clock is only 4 Volt, this pic is a 5 Volt device so that makes it only worse.

The clock line is ringing at the rising edge and after a while it stabilizes, but hmm... clock line is driven by the programmer, maybe a series resistor with clock line help?

This is the clock as it is on the ZIF socket, I can't measure on the PIC because that makes the problem go away. What worries me is that this programmer should do its work without the extra stuff, if I can't trust it I don't want to use it. I'm using the cable that I got with my (chinese clone) PICkit 3, it is not exeptionally long. Compared do what I see in the pictures of the TL866A it is even shorter, although it looks like the wires are thicker in the original.

The clock goes to the PIC, it looks like the PIC sees an extra clock cycle and starts to spit out the data bits one clock early (01111100 -> 00111110)I also don't see why the clock is only 4 Volt, this pic is a 5 Volt device so that makes it only worse.

Oh! that make sense, i think that programmer icsp voltage is only 3.3v an this could cause this issue.

Quote

This is the clock as it is on the ZIF socket, I can't measure on the PIC because that makes the problem go away. What worries me is that this programmer should do its work without the extra stuff, if I can't trust it I don't want to use it. I'm using the cable that I got with my (chinese clone) PICkit 3, it is not exeptionally long. Compared do what I see in the pictures of the TL866A it is even shorter, although it looks like the wires are thicker in the original.

Well, cheap and bad design, i'm sure they not tested it well for every case...

yup, I tested a few AVRs the moment it showed up as an 'a' model, took more work than I thought, chicken and egg problem. for those without a pickit2 or 3 or any pic programmer because you bought THIS to be a pic programmer see:

My A version arrived yesterday. If there's anything you want checked, let me know.I only bought it as a backup of my Galep IV, who take forever to fix bugs and reneged on making driver software available. bastids

So, here's a thought if this project becomes more community oriented. The MC3406 needs a resistor divider set on the comparator inverting input, originally I thought to use an i2c controlled pot, but the i2c lines are taken up, maybe bit banging a spi digital pot like the ad8402 to control the voltages in a much finer way than the 3bit control we have now. This may require other changes than just stripping off the resistors and transistors that are currently on the inputs and replacing them with this digital pot, but I don't know exactly what. This would of course require the designing of a custom firmware and probably a new GUI, but if we eventually get our own chip database going then we might want a wider range of voltages available and this seemed like a simple (hardware) mod that would allow that. Just a thought, I'm not sure I'm up to anything as radical as re-writing the PIC's firmware, but I wanted to put it out there.

I have a few SOIC8 which I am trying to re-program. Since this is an ongoing project and I'll have to re-flash the chips a lot of times, I would like to re-flash in-curcuit.While a college had no trouble with another programmer the TL866 voltage-protection seams to prevent it on any of the chips:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img194/4634/dv2g.jpg)

Any ideas how to disable or work around that protection, or getting it done any other way with the TL866 are more than welcome!

It's connected via a testing clip. The clip works perfect with the TL866 for all chips except in-circuit. I have tried 4 different boards and I get that message with all of them. Even shortened the cable to like 10cm...may have to build an external socket for the project as there are no 150mil sockets except the giant ones that we use in programmers. It's just annoying that I need to do all that work while another programmer just works on the same boards in-circuit, maybe that current protection is just too sensitive...just wish we could manually disable it.

if you power the board such that the chip gets the same power that you're trying to program with (either supply the board with power as it normally gets it, or inject power in parallel with the programmer) and nothing else is trying to talk to the chip (so try not to power up the entire board then) then I see no reason it won't work.

that boards have electrolytic caps on the power rail? maybe is the charging shock and programmer overcurrent is triggered too fast. Anyway this overcurrent protection can be disabled in hardware but you have to modify something in the programmer PCB. If you have schematic diagram of this programmer (posted in this thread) look for C22 and short it, this will disable the overcurrent protection (the OVC signal). But please do this with care. Another option is to put a bigger cap. in parallel with C22, the ovc detection will be delayed and is possible to work.

I will have to look at that on mine, possibly put a switch to disable it as well. I have some 8748 MCU's I want to read which it says it can do the CMOS version of, but I have the NMOS ones which have a higher current draw.

BIG [email protected], I shorted c22 and it successfully disabled the oc-protection, but the chips now read a device ID of 0000. So I de-soldered the chip and it reads and writes it no problem...building an adapter for an external socket now...wish it would have worked in-circuit.

Try to select 29F033C and disable the check device ID. These chips are pin to pin compatible, not sure about programming algorithms.Here is the official chip support list: http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MiniProSupportList.txt (http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MiniProSupportList.txt), use CTRL+F to find.What is the adapter you posted? look like DIP36 SNES ROM, if yes i think you must use something like DIP36 to DIP40 adapter or desolder the chip and use a standard TSOP 40 adapter.

Hello Everyone, I just registered to say that I have personally worked with the engineer/programmer in china, I provided him samples and he implemented them into software within 3 days! He advertises this on all the chinese forums because competition in china is steep, the support is worth every penny and more Name is wong or wang (been a while) I also acted as an intermediary between himself and Atmel in order to receive the programming algo's for a few PLC's where an NDA was required (ATF22, ATF15). his first email response was very brief, but he soon warmed up. just email him @ [email protected], get his address and send him 2 or 3 sample chips. :-+ :-+ :-+ :-+ :-+ :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box:

His Engrish is poor, but serviceable, I wrote everything in english and google translated chinese, got the job done. still need to send him a couple atmega 2650's so he can impliment isp programming for those

(another edit) He also was willing to implement chip specific adapters of my design, dream come true guys, Hit him up guys, help make this the best programmer PERIOD

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

I'll tell you right now FOR SURE that the OC-protection is because the entire board you are trying to program on is being partially powered through the soic which is drawing too much power from the programmer. try clipping (or desolder/lift) either the vcc or gound on the chip (or both) and then program. then just a dab of solder and everythings back to normal. you just need to prevent the board from drawing extra current from the programmer.

I'm pretty new EE in general. It's always just been a hobby after I took my physics course. I purchased the TL866A in hopes that I could tinker and learn.

Unfortunately, like Prema, every time I try to read a SOIC 8 chip in-circuit (the clip was included in my purchase), I get the over-current error. I've tried several different SOIC 8 chips in-circuit.

This time, I'm trying to clone my gate opener so I don't need to call the housing authority to register a new one.

The chip is a Microchip 12LCE519-4I SOIC 8. In the program, I selected PIC12LCE519 SOIC 8.

I also tried shorting C22 as radioman suggested, and it seems to work! But due to my inexperience, I'm not sure if it's truly working. First, there is no chip ID, but I noticed that "Read ID" function seems to be associated with the chip type? As in, some chips the option is there and some chips it's grayed out. Is that normal? Also, which I click the "Config" tab after reading the chip, it gives me a warning "The Value must less than 0x0FFF!" So I'm not sure if this is because I overrode the overcurrent protection. I know Prema just desoldered it, but I'm still "developing" my IC desoldering skills and would like to first see if it's possible to do it in-circuit.

I'll attach some screen shots after reading the chip. Can someone people look over them to see if it seems right?

Any input into my situation or just the "over-current protection" in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

I'll tell you right now FOR SURE that the OC-protection is because the entire board you are trying to program on is being partially powered through the soic which is drawing too much power from the programmer. try clipping (or desolder/lift) either the vcc or gound on the chip (or both) and then program. then just a dab of solder and everythings back to normal. you just need to prevent the board from drawing extra current from the programmer.

Thanks for the input, I'll try to look up the data sheet and try it. On a side note, when I short C22 it does seem to be reading something. Is there any danger in disabling OC-protection aside from it not properly reading/programming? Could it damage the IC or the programmer itself?

Datashet for FM1608 -> Here (PDF) (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/need-help-in-finding-bbsram-replacement-(decoding-comparing-two-datasheets)/?action=dlattach;attach=43090) <- Need just a "little" ;) modification on the DS-1225 code to support this chip.

Tell the programmer that the only difference is the DS1225Y needs the Chip Enable (CE) pin to be enabled "once" for multiple read/write operations, while the FM1608 needs the CE pin to be "toggled or switched to low state" at every read/write, the memory address changed and latched on CE 's edge, not the state/condition of the CE pin, whiled everything else are identical.

I think that chip is an OTP (One Time Programmable) or ROM based one, so you will not be able to erase it or reprogram it.Since address 3FFF contains 0C00 and you want to program it to 0C74 it has to fail: you can't make 1's out of zeros.

Thanks!! That makes a lot of sense now. Whats interesting is that even though its OTP, 0C00 actually started as 0C74 before I tried programming it and got the error (this is the only block code that is different between remotes). So it seems like it did change a little for some reason (unfortunate because now I seemed to have ruined it). I suppose my best bet to order a new chip and try to program it.

By the way, I used the link AmyK provided (thanks!) for the PIC12LCE519-041 page and it said the product is "mature" and to consider the PIC12F629 family which seems to have flash memory. Would I be able to replace the the chip with the?

@itsdavid there's not much point in replacing it if you're able to buy the original off of mouser or digikey. Especially if you're cloning a gate opener your best bet is to stick with the same part. Its possible the source would need to be recompiled with a different toolchain or something with the new chip. Those 'mature' and 'nearing end of life' warnings are for people who are designing products with the chip and who will need thousands of them over the next few years. they're basically saying don't start a new design from scratch with this chip, start with this other one which we'll be making for the next 5 years.

@itsdavid there's not much point in replacing it if you're able to buy the original off of mouser or digikey. Especially if you're cloning a gate opener your best bet is to stick with the same part. Its possible the source would need to be recompiled with a different toolchain or something with the new chip. Those 'mature' and 'nearing end of life' warnings are for people who are designing products with the chip and who will need thousands of them over the next few years. they're basically saying don't start a new design from scratch with this chip, start with this other one which we'll be making for the next 5 years.

Typed using Hacker's Keyboard for Android

Thanks MrAureliusR!Yeah, what you said makes a lot of sense. I guess I thought it would be nice if I could reprogram it whenever I needed without replacing the IC (since the newer one has flash memory). Also, the PIC12LCE519 is harder to to find. I assume the "L" in the model number suggests its lower voltage (compared to the more common PIC12CE519). Additionally, the newer chip has one less block. It stops at 000003FE, while the older one stops at 000003FF. The last block is actually the only block that is different between remotes. I'm not sure why it has one less block when all the specs seem greater, I think I have a lot to learn about programming and ICs lol. Thanks for all the help!

YES IT DOES work just fine under Windows 7 64 bit! I have one (the "A" model), and the software (MiniPro) works under Win 7 64 Bit just great. The postings on eBay, etc. that still say no 64 bit are just out of date. You do have to be running the latest version, though: MiniPro v5.91, which you can download from http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MinProUpdate.htm (http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MinProUpdate.htm) (Use Google Chrome and have it translate the Chinese for you).

In fact I never bothered to install from the CD that I got with my unit - I just downloaded it and installed it from the web. Actually did that before I purchased the unit - even installed the USB driver ahead of time.

This device is GREAT. I have tested it with old (UV) EPROMS (it won't program 2716 and only some 2732, and I have read the larger ones, but haven't tried programming them), GALs (e.g. GAL16V8), Microchip micros (in particular 16F877) using the output from Microchip's XC8, and used it to test some TTL chips. All worked perfectly fine. I even built a little adapter cable so I could use the ICSP (I have the "A" suffix model) with my old meLabs X1 board. Worked great.

I love it, and you just can't beat the price on eBay. (I paid $85.99, for the unit and a bunch of adapters and PLCC puller). Go for it. It is a GREAT unit.

Once I even put a chip (I think it was a GAL) one row down in the ZIF socket. The software noticed, and no harm was done to the GAL at all.

Not that much difference between Win7 and Win 8 under the hood , just drivers need to be signed in most cases and somewhat better security. You will get a nag screen about unsigned drivers during install, and will have to install anyway.

This device is GREAT. I have tested it with old (UV) EPROMS (it won't program 2716 and only some 2732, and I have read the larger ones, but haven't tried programming them), GALs (e.g. GAL16V8), Microchip micros (in particular 16F877) using the output from Microchip's XC8, and used it to test some TTL chips. All worked perfectly fine.

When I pop them in, I can read them and they read all EB's. If I pop them out, it reads all FF's ... it's funny that it will read at all with no chip in place. I can also program with nothing in the socket, and it works successfully. However, if I put either of them in it instantly stops with 'OverCurrent Protection action! External short circuit/IC reverse or damaged!' ... I know that even though these are both old chips, they were sold to me in MINT condition, never once used or programmed. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing but I figured that the 1986 one at least would program. No matter what options I change it just won't work. For the record, I'm picking the TMS2716 @DIP24 from the list, which is exactly what both of these are...

Dave had the same problem with the 27C128 but then his other EPROM in the video did successfully program...

Should I bother shorting out that cap (C22)? If I wreck the chip I won't mind but if I wreck the programmer I'll be pretty pissed at myself... I get the feeling it's not actually shorting, the hardware is just tripping accidentally because the programmer is using 21V maybe? I don't know. Also, in my experience, blank chips read FF. Are old EPROM's different? I don't have a 'real' eraser, but I can always leave them on the windowsill for a week in the bright sun and see if anything changes? Or can anyone think of a good hack to make a UV eraser? I suppose I could always just buy a UV bulb, make a little box with foil to reflect the UV, and stick them in there for 10-15 minutes. I've got some good project boxes that need a use...

[EDIT: I just wanted to add that the Logic IC test feature of this thing is GREAT!!!! I've used it COUNTLESS times and it works like a charm! I've even intentionally damaged certain sections of chips (on purpose or by accident) and it detects the error every time! Of course, the list could use some expanding, but so far the list does contain more than just basic logic gates - for example a 74LS138, which is a 3-to-8 line demultiplexer/decoder chip... if it can test that then surely it wouldn't be too hard to implement a whole host of other 7400 and 4000 series ICs. But I'm not complaining -- this thing is awesome!]

Chips are probably OK, just they draw va little too much power for the programmer to handle. I would suggest a switch to short out the overcurrent protection so you can have it selectable for these high power devices. An old original 2716 can draw up to 200mA just in normal operation, the CMOS ones draw practically nothing.

I intend to do the mod so I can read and program some older 8748 parts and read them ( as a backup in case the original ones die and I will then be SOL) safely, as they also are current hogs. I will also likely add a 5V external socket to provide the extra power for this to be done safely.

I tried the USB hub route with my 2716's and 2732's and it made no difference. That may help on some systems that are not supplying enough current on their USB ports - but I suspect that if that were the case one would not see the overcurrent protection message.

"I moved the burner to the computer in my entertainment center running Windows 7 and it worked fine there. I was able to set the voltage to 21V and try burning a 2732. The first one I tried kept stopping every 2-3 bytes and telling me it wasn't able to burn. If I clicked it and made it try again it would get a little further each time. But doing a 1k ROM 2-3 bytes at a time was going to take forever. I grabbed another 2732 and it worked better, it would do 100 bytes at a time. After several tries I was able to get the second 2732 to burn and verify successfully. I think the 2732s really want 25V, but it worked and I was happy."

Hi, I'm kind late to this thread but I've watched Dave's video and some related videos and cruised through the first 13 pages here.

I can't say that I have a good understanding of programmers or that I even have a good first use but I'd like to jump in and learn to copy/clone some chips and in the process learn about firmware - so I'm thinking about purchasing a TL866A primarily as a learning (personal R&D) tool.

Does anyone have some suggested 101-102 type links that would help a first time user get started with the overall process and maybe pick a few initial projects just for the sake of learning? (If you have any projects that would be both reasonably simple/doable and that would help learn the fundamentals please feel free to suggest them.)

Hi, I'm kind late to this thread but I've watched Dave's video and some related videos and cruised through the first 13 pages here.

I can't say that I have a good understanding of programmers or that I even have a good first use but I'd like to jump in and learn to copy/clone some chips and in the process learn about firmware - so I'm thinking about purchasing a TL866A primarily as a learning (personal R&D) tool.

Does anyone have some suggested 101-102 type links that would help a first time user get started with the overall process and maybe pick a few initial projects just for the sake of learning? (If you have any projects that would be both reasonably simple/doable and that would help learn the fundamentals please feel free to suggest them.)

These programmers are fairly simple. They are mostly for programming memory chips, which unlike programming a microcontroller, doesn't have a syntax/language. You can enter any data you want to program into a memory chip. The TL866CS can also be used to upload/download a .hex fire onto/from a PIC or AVR MCU, and (at least in the case of AVR) set fuse settings. The actual programming is still done in AVR Studio or MPLAB etc.

May I ask what you are looking for a programmer for? Do you have a project in mind that does/might require a universal programmer?

Hi, I'm kind late to this thread but I've watched Dave's video and some related videos and cruised through the first 13 pages here.

I can't say that I have a good understanding of programmers or that I even have a good first use but I'd like to jump in and learn to copy/clone some chips and in the process learn about firmware - so I'm thinking about purchasing a TL866A primarily as a learning (personal R&D) tool.

Does anyone have some suggested 101-102 type links that would help a first time user get started with the overall process and maybe pick a few initial projects just for the sake of learning? (If you have any projects that would be both reasonably simple/doable and that would help learn the fundamentals please feel free to suggest them.)

These programmers are fairly simple. They are mostly for programming memory chips, which unlike programming a microcontroller, doesn't have a syntax/language. You can enter any data you want to program into a memory chip. The TL866CS can also be used to upload/download a .hex fire onto/from a PIC or AVR MCU, and (at least in the case of AVR) set fuse settings. The actual programming is still done in AVR Studio or MPLAB etc.

May I ask what you are looking for a programmer for? Do you have a project in mind that does/might require a universal programmer?

Thanks - that was a helpful orientation; I am starting at square 1 on this. Based on your post I get that the "programmer" really is just for reading and/or writing a hex file to/from a PIC or AVR MCU, and (in the case of AVR) setting fuse settings - none of which I have had a reason to do but I'm inclined to start trying/learning just for the sake of learning. The closest I've come to any such projects would be building simple projects with the Arduino, which gives me some exposure to AVR.

For now, I'm inclined to just see if I can take data off of one chip and write it to another and then see if I can modify it, etc. Learning the chip families alone seems like it could take awhile, but I'd like to start somewhere where I can get some hands-on experience. Nothing like learning by doing. :)

Do you have any favorite/popular chips that might make sense to start with just to read and write? (I know that's probably like asking if you have any favorite foods that might be representative of all foods.) Any reason not to give it a try with an ATmega328? Or is there something that would be a better to experiment with? Theoretically, if I could write to a "backup" ATmega328 I could pop the newly written backup chip into my Arduino to see if it still runs my programs :).

For MCU programming you definitely want a programmer with in-system programming (called ISP for AVRs and ICSP for PICs). Unplugging the micro to program gets old really fast when going through iterative compile-program-test cycles. You can always wire a DIP IC up on a devboard or breadboard with a programming header. I believe standard Arduino Uno includes an ISP header you can directly plug a programmer into.

I would also tend to go with something supported by the manufacturer (eg. AVRISP Mk. II or PICkit 3). This allows you to directly program a chip from the manufacturer supplied IDE (or any other IDE). If you want to save money, at least get something with wide community support (eg. USBasp). This makes troubleshooting and finding help much easier.

I see nothing wrong with starting with an ATmega328, it's a versatile chip that's very popular due to its use in the Arduino. I don't see the point of reading the firmware from an existing MCU, however. Commercial designs will usually have the lock bit set, preventing you from reading the firmware but returning garbage instead. And if you want to modify some Arduino code, then the source to everything is right there on their website. Even if you get the firmware and manage to dissasamble it, then it's still much harder to read than well documented assembler or C code with proper variable and function names.

I understand the TL866A is going to be operating at a lower level than than say the Arduino IDE; I'm just challenging myself to see if I can figure out the TL866A (and the general environment of such a programmer). In the process I'd like to find the intersection between what can be done from the PC with the Arduino IDE (or maybe with WinAVR or Atmel Studio) and what can be done with the TL866A and the software that comes with the TL866A. It's like I've been reading about Rome for a long time and I'm ready to go on site seeing tour. :)

I saw this thread that seems to be touching on some similar questions:http://forum.pjrc.com/threads/19212-Better-alternative-to-arduino-IDE (http://forum.pjrc.com/threads/19212-Better-alternative-to-arduino-IDE)

I think I'm on a different path than many users here who have lots of skill and experience and who use test equipment largely to test, design, debug, build, etc. I use the equipment almost entirely as a "learning platform". With a small power supply, a couple DMMs, a scope, a couple breadboards, some parts, and a few other things I can tinker, hypothesize, test, figure out (slowly) what works and what doesn't, what causes what and what doesn't. It's a journey more than a specific destination although I have a few small objectives that I hope to accomplish as I get a few things figured out. For starters, I want to prove I can learn/understand, configure and control analog circuits well enough to (among other things) convert A to D to encode specific bit streams and then (with a scope and a serial decoder) I want to prove I can decode my home made bit streams. Along the way I'm trying to learn to harness the notion of pullup and pulldown resistors - I know, pretty basic. (The other day I managed to follow a circuit diagram (not just a fritzing illustration) to make some stuff happen with a 555; it worked on the second try and I was pleasantly surprised.)

Beyond this 101 stuff I'm trying to not only experience the intersection between analog and digital but also gain some hands-on experience with how basic analog circuits and functions get embedded and accessed and managed on chips. In 102 or 201 I hope to figure out how to work with I2C and SPI. JTAG entirely fascinates me. No doubt, I see a ton of hardware, firmware, and software learning ahead on the "hands-on" road from analog to digital.

One of the reasons I'd like a highly dependable power supply is that I'd like to know that the values I'm seeing when working with the fundamentals (volts and amps along with ohms and watts) are pretty reliable so I don't have to wonder if it's my calculations or the gear that's causing a different than expected result (I'm steadily working my way thru stuff like burden voltage.) In general, to help avoid errors and confusion I like my rulers to be accurately ruled so as to help avoid this: |O :-DD

(And of course I'd like a power supply that protects my other gear, DUTs, and generally keeps me safe.)

So .... back to the TL866A, the TL866A might (metaphorically) be a diving board to help learn what goes on in the deep end ;D

To me, this forum is a gateway to a huge amount of learning opportunities. It is a great place with lots of deluxe people and I appreciate all the info and advice.

I have to suggest - get yourself the TL866A (or whichever has the ICSP port) instead. Its got the in circuit programming header built-in so you can tinker with both in one package. Its slightly more expensive but probably worth it.

I own a TL866A and when I tried to read/write a ST93CS46 in-system I got the over current protection error. I then proceeded to short C22 as suggested here (Thanks everyone!) and it worked. But I couldn't find an answer if that could be dangerous to the TL866A (Someone said it's not dangerous to the chip...)? I guess that protection is in place for a reason?There were some mentions about people wishing for Linux support, did anyone contact AutoElectric with that wish? This device would be great if had linux support (and later down the road ability to add your own chips - anyone contacted them about that?)

Also thanks to everyone, this thread was full of useful information. You rock!

Shorting C22 will disable only over current protection notifications, not over current protection itself. When i worked in the reverse engineering of this programmer, i developed a custom firmware to help me, and if i remember correctly, i tested this ovc protection by putting a pin driver to VDD and GND simultaneously for about one hour. A couple of transistors/resistors became warm but nothing serious.

Regarding to Linux support, well, i sent a few emails to Autoelectric with that wish but no response. :(

Yes you can try this, but remember: by shorting the C22 the over current protection will not be disabled, instead the ovc signal will never inform the uC about the over current condition and this will allow the firmware to continue the read/write procedure. The ovc signal work at the interrupt level of the uC, once triggered, the internal firmware will reset the pin drivers in hi-z state and abort current operation, then the pc software will be informed about this situation. Due to the in circuit connection, the ovc signal can be false triggered and this will stop the read/write operation. shorting the C22 can help in some situations but is not a universal solution, depends on the situation. You can try to mount a switch for that purpose and when needed to short the C22 easily, and yes this is safe for both programmer and the chip.

@radiomanThanks for all the info and great work you did.When you reverse engineered this stuff, did you maybe look at the USB communication between the device and the program? I guess it should be preatty straight forward protocol/communication?I'll probably do some sniffing and poking in that direction.

When you reverse engineered this stuff, did you maybe look at the USB communication between the device and the program? I guess it should be pretty straight forward protocol/communication?I'll probably do some sniffing and poking in that direction.

Yes i have looked at the USB communication protocol, but believe me it's a nightmare. In bootloader mode there are only four commands for ex. (reset,erase,write,report) but these are simple commands. In normal mode are a lot of commands and reverse engineering them is not so easy, you must know how the pc software and uC firmware works,for example as a hint, at this moment all the supported chips are grouped by categories, every category is implemented as unique protocol/algorithm in the software/firmware and afaik these protocols/algorithm are 41 in number in the current firmware implementation, plus the control commands. Yes sniffing is easy to do but interpreting the result is hard, the pc software is a mess, adding a new chip is done by recompiling the source, there is no config files, nothing, nada, and most of the chips info are hardcoded in infoic.dll and the main software minipro.exe, the system is closed, the only way is the hard work in the reverse eng. communication protocol, good luck!

When you reverse engineered this stuff, did you maybe look at the USB communication between the device and the program? I guess it should be pretty straight forward protocol/communication?I'll probably do some sniffing and poking in that direction.

Yes i have looked at the USB communication protocol, but believe me it's a nightmare. In bootloader mode there are only four commands for ex. (reset,erase,write,report) but these are simple commands. In normal mode are a lot of commands and reverse engineering them is not so easy, you must know how the pc software and uC firmware works,for example as a hint, at this moment all the supported chips are grouped by categories, every category is implemented as unique protocol/algorithm in the software/firmware and afaik these protocols/algorithm are 41 in number in the current firmware implementation, plus the control commands. Yes sniffing is easy to do but interpreting the result is hard, the pc software is a mess, adding a new chip is done by recompiling the source, there is no config files, nothing, nada, and most of the chips info are hardcoded in infoic.dll and the main software minipro.exe, the system is closed, the only way is the hard work in the reverse eng. communication protocol, good luck!

Damn, I thought they're using a simpler interface (but on the other hand I don't know anything about programming chips)... So with each PC software update comes a new FW for the device. And here I am, dreaming of a device with configurable and drivable pins via PC software and whatnot. :-DDMaybe one day...

I've been playing with a TL866 and some old EPROMs and had an odd problem. If I read some old 27c256 chips the correct chip ID is recognized and the dumps have correct data (I can see interesting ASCII strings with error messages, instructions and so on). If I try some AM27c512 chips, an incorrect chip ID is recognized and the data doesn't correct (no obvious patterns or strings). This is the case for 5 chips that I've tried. Also, with the AM27c512 if I click "Chip ID" repeatedly a different chip ID is sometimes reported. I'm not sure what's going on, can the TL866 read a 27c512? Or are all my chips bad? I could understand that the incorrect ID value was written to them when programmed but changing chip ID is confusing. I haven't tried erasing and reprogramming one yet.

Damn, I thought they're using a simpler interface (but on the other hand I don't know anything about programming chips)... So with each PC software update comes a new FW for the device. And here I am, dreaming of a device with configurable and drivable pins via PC software and whatnot.

Sounds to me like you are looking for an Arduino or general purpose microcontroller. Even a Bus Pirate perhaps. Only limitation here is that you're limited to TTL/CMOS voltage levels. Boost converters are available pre-designed in IC's, and you can easily use a digital pot to lower voltage.

Damn, I thought they're using a simpler interface (but on the other hand I don't know anything about programming chips)... So with each PC software update comes a new FW for the device. And here I am, dreaming of a device with configurable and drivable pins via PC software and whatnot.

Sounds to me like you are looking for an Arduino or general purpose microcontroller. Even a Bus Pirate perhaps. Only limitation here is that you're limited to TTL/CMOS voltage levels. Boost converters are available pre-designed in IC's, and you can easily use a digital pot to lower voltage.

Yeah, a second look at Bus Pirate and I believe that's something I'm looking for, but with more programmers/chips support. But I'll sure have a closer look at how the supported "programmers" work with Bus Pirate. Thanks for pointing it out (I was aware of Bus Pirate, but didn't look into it to realise it can program some chips too).

I've ordered TL866A after I saw Dave's video. :) Actually there were some adapters with TL866A that seller included (SO-8 clip with no need to desolder, SO-8 150 mil ZIF, SO-8 200~208 mil ZIF, SOP28-DIP28, PLCC32-DIP32, PLCC44-DIP40 and some else and a PLCC extractor as well). I've bought it for 90$ US which is about 3000 rubles here in Russia. For example in popular local electronics shops in here you can buy some other programmers from 8000 rubles at minimum and further to 15000...30000 rubles (450$...900$). :o And you don't even know will they work under Win7 or not, do they support all chips that you used to use and so on.

I'm very happy with this device. I have tried ISP cable - works well with AVRs. Tested read-write with many EPROMs, EEPROMs and flash chips (some old 27C64, 27C256, 27C512 and so on, SST49FL004A, SST39SF020A, AT29C010, P28F001, MX28F2000, SPH29EE010 and others, many 8-pin EEPROMs). I've even "tested tester" ;D of RAM chips - checked some old SRAM L2-cache DIPs. :-+

Everything works very well. Driver and software works under Windows 7 x64 and Windows XP SP3 with no difference. Driver installs easily and with no problems, software runs stable, keyboard shortcuts are pretty usefull, buttons/windows don't confuse me at all.

Only under XP I have issue with wrong size fonts and UI falling apart, but solution from post #71 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg196623/#msg196623) doesn't work for me because after this actions some (not all) russian-language software refused to work and in some other cases I had hieroglyphs instead of cyrillic letters (but yes, this actions had fixed UI of software). So I had to revert everything back. Also latest version of software (5.91) have some "chinglish" in it. Screenshots are in attachment. And chinese style of starting most (but not all) words from capital letter is pretty annoying. :-\

Has anyone managed to use the ISP connector of the TL866A with ATTiny84 chips? My upgraded (CS->A) makes the ISP connector unavailable when selecting ATTiny84 but is usable for the ATMega328 family.

I don't have an ATtiny84 to test, but yes, software blocks out the "ICSP port" option when ATtiny84 selected. However with little trusty software "Enable button" I can unblock UI radio button and switch to "ICSP port" and software allows me to read data from ICSP (all zeroes while nothing connected).

"Enable button" sounds handy, do you have a link? I did Google but got lots of stuff.

Try this link (http://download.ware.ru/win/28253_Enable%20button.exe). MD5: 28d10f5ea6f3b1e5de4074aa5294ef92. Run this programm, switch to window with blocked elements and run mouse cursor over them - they will unlock! ;)

Btw I had some issue with ZIF socket on my TL866 - sometimes it accidently come open. And I already done a fix to it, I'll add photos later.

It is more complicated than I thought. Reading from the ATTiny84V does not work even though the button is accepted. It reads a bad signature and all zero's as contents. If I select ATMega328P I can read the contents fine. Also, if you select the information button for the ICSP wiring you get a message:

File not found: c:\MiniPro\5-9-1\img\ICP000.JPG

I guess the ISCP wiring could be different between the ATMega328p and the ATTiny84V.

The button was greyed out for a reason.The ATMega328p are 28 and 32 pin .The problem you are having with the ATtiny84 might be because the fuse bit is set,someone more knowledgable here should be able to help you with that .

Check the pinout on the datasheet: http://www.datasheetdir.com/ATTINY84V-10SSU+AVR-microcontrollers (http://www.datasheetdir.com/ATTINY84V-10SSU+AVR-microcontrollers)Find the correct datasheet for your part.

Having identified that the ATTiny84 doesn't appear on the list I also note that the ATTiny85 does appear but this selection also greys out the ICSP option. I wonder if this is because these devices don't support HVPP only HVSP.

The 113 and 115 types are programming algorithms implemented in firmware, and as you can see both categories is supporting low voltage serial programming (icsp) but is implemented only in the first category(113).

If you will try to unlock the icsp button for one of the device in the second category then it will not work, the minipro software send the command correctly (tested myself) but the firmware will ignore icsp parameter.USB sniffer:

As I promised: some improvements to TL866 that I did.My device was accidentally unlocking the ZIF socket sometimes. And visually there was pretty big and uneven gap between ZIF socket parts. And also, plastic of the socket started to wiggle while the whole device with PCB and soldered pins of the socket were fixed.

Step 1): undo 4 screws from case and 2 screws from ZIF socketStep 2): apply some hot glue between bottom part of the socket and PCB while applying pressure on top of the socket with your fingerStep 3): lift top part of ZIF socket with screw driverStep 4): remove all burrs from middle (moving) and top parts of the socket that were left after manufacturingStep 5): remove some plastic from place where lever goes by scratching it with a knifeStep 6): put it all together

Sorry if I confused some words or terms, I'm from Russia, English is not my first language. ::)

I can not find anything, are you sure these chips are correct? Gigadevice chips supported in TL866 are 25xxx SPI eeprom series (GD25xxx), do you have any datasheet for these chips? please post entire marking of these chips or a photo.

Not sure if any noticed this (or has any interest), but one of the sellers of the TL866 offers a black ziff socket as an option vs. the very popular green socket (he also sells the green socket version):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-MiniPro-TL866A-Programmer-EEPROM-SPI-FLASH-AVR-GAL-PIC-with-ICSP-Function-/321085707041?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac2331321#ht_9190wt_1071 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-MiniPro-TL866A-Programmer-EEPROM-SPI-FLASH-AVR-GAL-PIC-with-ICSP-Function-/321085707041?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac2331321#ht_9190wt_1071)- the seller has lots of packages depending on which/how many adapter sockets you want

In corresponding with the seller he has been very responsive. He says that the black socket is more robust than the green socket. He thinks it might not matter for occassional users but for users that are doing lots of diagnostics/repairs, etc. he believes the black socket will hold up better. I think he also believes it will make better contact with the chip pins; it's also supposed to be easier to remove/replace if needed.

Also, related to the TL866 it looks like there are users who would like to do inline serial programming; for inline serial progamming it would seem that it might be easier and not all that much more expensive to just start with the TL866A version than the TL866CS version.

Just a couple tidbits. Sorry if some of this is redundant with previous posts.

Not sure if any noticed this (or has any interest), but one of the sellers of the TL866 offers a black ziff socket as an option vs. the very popular green socket (he also sells the green socket version):

Just to add, if you buy the regular green socket version there is nothing stopping you from buying a genuine, quality 3M or Aries Zif socket and using this in the green socket, no soldering required.

Not sure if any noticed this (or has any interest), but one of the sellers of the TL866 offers a black ziff socket as an option vs. the very popular green socket (he also sells the green socket version):

Just to add, if you buy the regular green socket version there is nothing stopping you from buying a genuine, quality 3M or Aries Zif socket and using this in the green socket, no soldering required.

I don't have any vested interested in this and I'm still figuring out what's what but it was my impression that the green socket is a 3M socket (maybe there are different versions made by 3M?) and that it is soldered in place. I'm pretty sure the seller says the black socket can be removed without soldering.

The green socket says 3M on it but I'd bet a thousand dollars it's an imitation. ;) It seems to be relatively strong though, I've inserted and removed chips well over a hundred times now with no issues whatsoever.

And the black "aries" Zif sockets require so much physical force to open and close it tends to get tiresome rather quickly and then there is the mechanical force that is transferred through the PCB. Very hard to open and close these with just one hand.

The 3M clones (genuine 3M parts cost > $10) are just much nicer to work with and will hold up for a long time as long as some care is used in inserting the chips correctly and they are soldered with the zif socket in the open position. Very important!

Just have to be careful and make sure that the programmer is not counterfeit. According to the site there is no counterfeit programmer yet, however; there are some adapters that are counterfeit already.http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/TSOP48_identification.htm (http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/TSOP48_identification.htm)I ordered an 866A from e**y and I suppose to get it tomorrow. My EMP-20 is obsolete and works for old parts but the original company doesn't exist anymore and to use I have to have an old Win XP box with a parallel port.

Personally I own a Advantech Labtool-48 universal programmer (LPT interface) that I purchased 10 years ago. Support was dropped in 2002 so no new devices (PIC, AVR, large SPI EEPROMs) have been added to the Labtool-48. After reading this TL866 forum I decided to order the TL866A to make up for where the Labtool-48 left off. I prefer the Labtool-48 over the TL866A in the first instance, but if my Labtool-48 doesn't support a post 2002 device then the TL866A will hopefully provide a degree of redundancy.

I couldn't help but notice all the problems people were having with the 40 pin ZIF socket supplied with the TL866. I'm not too fond of the solutions that have been suggested to improve the behaviors of the supplied ZIF socket in particular the use of 'hot melt glue' and the likes. I discovered that element14 sells original 40 pin 3M ZIF sockets for $48AUD ($46USD) which is what the whole TL866A programmer is worth.

After some research on eBay I came across a very reasonable alternative at $13 USD for 2 pcs.

The ZIF socket lever is clearly well constructed (all metal construction) and the outside ZIF socket body appears to be one solid piece of plastic. I will be ordering these ZIF sockets on eBay as I can clearly see there are issues with the supplied TL866. As yet I cannot comment on the quality of the eBay source of ZIF socket that I propose, but I think that it is a possible good choice.

I'll try and get back to this forum in the following weeks as my order makes its long journey on the slow boat from China.

I wouldn,t recommend using the 25xx series for a new design LOL :-DD serious though rather use the 27xx series because those can be found everywhere and programmed, the 25xx series have also another different pinlayout.Even in old pinnball machines the 25xx gets replaced by an 27xx.If you must program these build your own conversion board wit 27xx to 25xx pin layout and make a voltagedetector that switches on if Vpp> 12V and use lab PSU for 25V to switch. Then program them numerous times till code is verified then double it for intance in your example thirty times. Other alternative is to build your own programmer.

First time caller long time listener. I thank you all for the great info on the TL866, especially for the "upgrade" which went off without a hitch. My only problem now is the software for the thing. I can save a project and it will ask for attributes. I assume this is able to accept any info as well. Well I put in the checksum & chip etc. When I reload the project, the chip is not selected automatically, nor is the info in the attributes/description. I have to load the chip after the popup warning and then reload the bin or hex file. All I see in the description is the mpj filename and path. No descriptive note that I was asked to put in there when I first saved the file. What a piece of work. Is anyone else able to tell me if this is the way it is working for them as well or is it just me. thanks.

25xx series also needs a substrate bias of -21V, if not there and allowed to float to a positive voltage near Vcc they tend to complain by glowing red hot ( if the 5V rail can support the current) and then blowing the top off. I have seen a few do that, though most just did not work.

25xx series also needs a substrate bias of -21V, if not there and allowed to float to a positive voltage near Vcc they tend to complain by glowing red hot ( if the 5V rail can support the current) and then blowing the top off. I have seen a few do that, though most just did not work.

TMS25xx are single-supply +5V, perhaps you were thinking of even earlier EPROMs?

I couldn't help but notice all the problems people were having with the 40 pin ZIF socket supplied with the TL866.

The ZIF socket lever is clearly well constructed (all metal construction) and the outside ZIF socket body appears to be one solid piece of plastic. I will be ordering these ZIF sockets on eBay as I can clearly see there are issues with the supplied TL866.

What, you mean the ONE GUY on this thread who was having trouble and then posted a simple fix? And what about all of us who then said "Hey, actually the ZIF sockets are quite nice. They are actually smoother and easier to work with than the genuine 3M ones."

My TL866 arrived today, no nice box around it just wrapped in bubble plastick. The sticker on the back is an exact copy of the one Dave showed in his video, so is there only one SN :o or just one sticker ;D Opened it up, looks the same as Dave got but different name on the PCB, there is now XG 2013 Design on the pcb's. So are these all copies from eachother or is there really only one manufacturer? Anyway tested it with some old eproms and eeproms and it seems to work. :-+ Excellent value for the money.

I have just noted that my TL866 displays the extended fuse setting on my ATMEGA328P in a strange manner. TL866 show value FD while avrdude shows 05 which is more typical.

I am not familiar with the ATMEGA328P but looking in the datasheet under the extended fuse byte it states clearly that only the last three bits are programmable (and these match in both cases) and the other 5 bits are not programmable and are default '1' . So it looks to me that the TL866 has the right value and the avrdude not.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried programming ST M35080 chips? They have the first few bits protected/only allow incremental writing (incremental registers) but I would need to completely reprogram it. But it looks like it doesen't know how to do that unfortunately :/ Or I'm doing something wrong. Also there seems to be lack of software updates/chips. Was anyone in contact with that programmer whose mail is listed here somewhere?

When I insert an unknown Eprom into the programmer, and select read, I get the correct device ID code but how do I then select the correct chip type to program ?Doesn't the software read the code and offer the correct chip ?If not why not, the information is in the software.. |O

I hope that the manufacturer is reading this thread. After spending an inordinate amount of time trying to google an Eprom ID code for an unmarked device that I had, I wondered why the software for the 866 can't search its Eprom database and find the correct chip.

If it can do this already, would somebody care to explain how to do this, I couldn't find anything in the menus or in the Chinese help file that I have.

Also, you can use any type of cap, as long as it is 1uF and you can get the pins neatly soldered, and you can bend the cap out of the way. I'd go for a disc ceramic or similar. I replaced the overcurrent cap (C22) with a higher value one to try and fix the overcurrent when programming EPROM's that are old (1980's and earlier) and I used a disc cap, just soldered it and flattened it against the board. Works like a charm.

Well, it didn't fix the problem (entirely) but it still passes all it's self-tests. By the way, upgrading the CS to the A is very easy! If you want help doing it just shoot me a PM.

That update hack is neat. What I did was to hack the MiniPro.exe. All you have to do is change these bytes with a hex editor:

0x01648 0x75 to 0xEB0x11BBA 0x75 to 0xEB0x23B34 0x75 to 0xEB

These are valid for the 5.91 .exe.

This changes a few JNZs that check for the programmer version to JMPs ... so the program will think your programmer is a TL866A.

I'd love it if someone could try it out and confirm it's working. I haven't added the header to my programmer yet.

the program will think that but the firmware not, its not so easy!Even if the program send the command correctly the firmware will ignore the icsp parameter and the programmer will perform only ZIF socket programming.Also if you change 0x01648 0x75 to 0xEB and do a firmware update you will end with random bytes programmed instead of correct firmware, see my updater here:http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg225443/#msg225443 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg225443/#msg225443) ; load the update.dat file, check the TL866A version an click reflash. The programmer will be switched in bootloader mode, reflashed and it will remain in bootloader mode instead of normal mode, because of main firmware is wrong. You will need to reflash the entire internal microcontroler firmware to A version because the CS is limited to ZIF operations only.

I did realize that the firmware was somehow encrypted. Do you know what encryption method is used?

Just Xoring each byte of the firmware against to the two random generated lookup tables and biwise operations between some bytes. But the encryption is done with different tables; for ex. the update.dat file is encrypted against one table; the minipro.exe will decrypt this file and send the firmware to the bootloader, then the bootloader will decrypt the received data against another random table and will reprogram the internal PIC flash, so this is kind of two level encryption; also the first level encryption data has dummy bytes inserted at some offsets, the bootloader will just trim these dummy bytes before decryption and so on.

Moreover, the devcode and serial code encryption is evil, besides xoring against a random table they added crc16 and byte swap! This is insane!The weakness of this method is that if the data contains large blocks of FF's then you can detect the encryption pattern.

I have sent them a mail to the address posted in this thread asking for implementation of some NEC chips (Looks quite simple to program them with UART) but haven't heard back. So I don't know... If anyone gets ahold of a contact (that actually responds) I would appreciate it.

I have sent them a mail to the address posted in this thread asking for implementation of some NEC chips (Looks quite simple to program them with UART) but haven't heard back. So I don't know... If anyone gets ahold of a contact (that actually responds) I would appreciate it.

try these.If you do try and contact them,you may have to translate your message to chinese, if they dont understand english ?

Thanks for your help everyone but the 1uf didn't change anything. I tried a ceramic (orange type) and a 1uf / 50v canister type with same result. Going to check I have put LED's in right way. Don't know it that would cause an issue or not but the yellow one doesn't light up at all. It is connected to the correct circuit traces and the LED works so time to desolder again and have a butchers at the anode and cathode!

is it also possible to upgrade my tl866cs to a tl866a with a 2013 build board inside?

regards Christian

Yes, you can. But please wait a little because I will release an update of my firmware generator with ability to backup your internal firmware first before reflashing. Also I will need an CS dump for my analysis purpose.

I have to say that I am very impressed with my TL866CS. I was previously looking at the $500 - $1000 universal programmers from Batronic, Xeltek, etc; and this little guy seems to program even more chips than those, and it only costs $50. It might be a little slower, but I don't gang program with it -- only one chip at a time.

Yes, you can. But please wait a little because I will release an update of my firmware generator with ability to backup your internal firmware first before reflashing. Also I will need an CS dump for my analysis purpose.

Sounds good:-)I can wait. what do you think is a little? ;-)I have to organize another Pic Programmer at first , but thats no Problem..

Sounds good:-)I can wait. what do you think is a little? ;-)I have to organize another Pic Programmer at first , but thats no Problem..

Here is the updated firmware generator, now with the option to backup your firmware first.TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)

How to backup your firmware:1.In the hardware tab, browse for update.dat file (you will find this file in the minipro installation folder)2.Check the option "Use firmware dumper"3.Select your programmer version (CS/A). This is very important!4.Press "Reflash" buttonAfter reflash the "Dump" button will become active, just press this button and you will be prompted to save your own internal firmware in hex format.Now your firmware is saved. Just unckeck the "Use firmware dumper" and press the "Reflash" button again. This will restore the normal function of the programmer.

This firmware dumper was tested on TL866A but not on CS because i don't have one. Good luck!

Here is the updated firmware generator, now with the option to backup your firmware first.TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)

How to backup your firmware:1.In the hardware tab, browse for update.dat file (you will find this file in the minipro installation folder)2.Check the option "Use firmware dumper"3.Select your programmer version (CS/A). This is very important!4.Press "Reflash" buttonAfter reflash the "Dump" button will become active, just press this button and you will be prompted to save your own internal firmware in hex format.Now your firmware is saved. Just unckeck the "Use firmware dumper" and press the "Reflash" button again. This will restore the normal function of the programmer.

This firmware dumper was tested on TL866A but not on CS because i don't have one. Good luck!

Could this means radioman's hack is not that popular yet that A version sale is not affected significantly ? >:D

Really? :'( Then check this: http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html (http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html) or this: http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html (http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html)Rebranded version or copy/clone? Ah! and the name SLT866 is funny also.

Really? :'( Then check this: http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html (http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html) or this: http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html (http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html)Rebranded version or copy/clone? Ah! and the name SLT866 is funny also.

Hey radioman, don't be sad, your work there definitely one of the kind on this earth here. :-+

Interesting on that Willem programmer, just curious if the program can be used on this TL866 ? >:D

Because one of the forum users asked me how to downgrade from A to CS i have updated my firmware generator with option to generate both A and CS versions of the firmware. Thanks to @zerocool80 which provided me a valid CS dump.

Because one of the forum users asked me how to downgrade from A to CS i have updated my firmware generator with option to generate both A and CS versions of the firmware. Thanks to @zerocool80 which provided me a valid CS dump.

Is it possible to make/buy a cable to go from the 6 pin ICP port, to a standard 10pin/6pin DIP header ?I have had a "Google", but nothing obvious comes up.Thanks,

Yes of course it is. Very simple to do. Just buy a 6 pin SIP cable (such as this one from SparkFun (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10371). I'm sure you can find others on different websites, that particular cable just jumped to mind) and some SIP and DIP pin headers. Solder a 6-pin SIP header onto some veroboard or protoboard, and then either a 6-pin or 10-pin (or both) DIP header on the other side. Solder wires between the correct signal pins and voila! You've got your very own conversion board. I have a bunch of these that I've made for converting between 10-pin and 6-pin AVR headers. It's a great, simple skill to develop. Interface boards such as these are always handy - it seems you never have the right cable when you need it!

EDIT: By 'other side' I mean the opposite end of the board, not the actual opposite side. You want all the pins pointing up on the same side, and all the connections on the other. I can post pictures of my 6-pin to 10-pin boards if you want

Because one of the forum users asked me how to downgrade from A to CS i have updated my firmware generator with option to generate both A and CS versions of the firmware. Thanks to @zerocool80 which provided me a valid CS dump.

Because one of the forum users asked me how to downgrade from A to CS i have updated my firmware generator with option to generate both A and CS versions of the firmware. Thanks to @zerocool80 which provided me a valid CS dump.

Download here:TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)

But why ? ::)

Returning a product ? :-//

I don't know, but I had a nice discussion in private with him about encryption method used, how data packets is transmitted over USB and so on, he want to learn, so he asked me if it's possible to downgrade for no particular reason; so this was a two step update: added option to backup firmware, someone provided me an cs dump and then added the cs firmware generation. Technically there's no difference between the two versions of bootloader, only decryption key table is different. Of course the big difference is the main firmware, which in cs is a reduced version.

Solder a 6-pin SIP header onto some veroboard or protoboard, and then either a 6-pin or 10-pin (or both) DIP header on the other side. Solder wires between the correct signal pins and voila! You've got your very own conversion board.

Thanks, sounds a good idea, but the main problem I'm having is which pins go to which pins?I have a pinout diagram for a 10 and 6 pin DIP with MISO, MOSI, SCK, RES, etc. and a 6 pin SIP with PGC, PGD, etc.How do they equate to each other ?Thanks,Paul

Does any one know if this will program mach210. if it does not can anyone recommend a similar programer that would. i just cant see spending around 1000 $ just for one chip seems this programer will handle the rest of my chips. thanks for the help....

Does any one know if this will program mach210. if it does not can anyone recommend a similar programer that would. i just cant see spending around 1000 $ just for one chip seems this programer will handle the rest of my chips. thanks for the help....

There's a supported chips list here: http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MiniProSupportList.txt (http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/MiniProSupportList.txt)And I don't see mach210 in there - so I would say it doesen't support it.You can write to [email protected] (translate your text to chinese) if they're willing to implement it. They said to me that they'll consider new chips in the 2014 :/

For those who do not have a dedicated Pic programmer and want to upgrade from CS to A i have updated my firmware generator and now there's an easy and safe way to do that: just select the firmware version you want and click reflash.

HelloI am new hereI am Zoran from SERBIAI also buy TL866CS but i did not get PSOP44 adapter and now i need so muchI asking is anybody here have schematic for adapter PSOP44 i have main board V3 TSOP48 SOP44 I just need how to connect 29f400 to read and write.I buy some adapter PSOP44(http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg (http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg))and just need to connect here(http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg (http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg))Thank you

HelloI am new hereI am Zoran from SERBIAI also buy TL866CS but i did not get PSOP44 adapter and now i need so muchI asking is anybody here have schematic for adapter PSOP44 i have main board V3 TSOP48 SOP44 I just need how to connect 29f400 to read and write.I buy some adapter PSOP44(http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg (http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg))and just need to connect here(http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg (http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg))Thank you

You bought the wrong adapter. They sell standard adapters for all of the 40-pin programmers like this and many others. If I were you I would just return that 44-pin adapter and get the proper adapter unless someone here has one already and wants to take the time to trace it and check for errors. That's not something I'd care to try. |O :-DMM

This is the adapter you want. I was only able to find one seller that had it by itself and not part of an adapter set and they ship internationally from Hong Kong.

I know that they have but I am from SERBIA and we can not buy still by ebay and from china they are close waySo i am stuck with this adapter and if someone have a time to trace me from original adapter i will be thanks for thatThank you

Solder a 6-pin SIP header onto some veroboard or protoboard, and then either a 6-pin or 10-pin (or both) DIP header on the other side. Solder wires between the correct signal pins and voila! You've got your very own conversion board.

Thanks, sounds a good idea, but the main problem I'm having is which pins go to which pins?I have a pinout diagram for a 10 and 6 pin DIP with MISO, MOSI, SCK, RES, etc. and a 6 pin SIP with PGC, PGD, etc.How do they equate to each other ?Thanks,Paul

I know that they have but I am from SERBIA and we can not buy still by ebay and from china they are close waySo i am stuck with this adapter and if someone have a time to trace me from original adapter i will be thanks for thatThank you

I didn't know that Serbia couldn't use paypal, unlike most of the world.

I did a little research into your problem but couldn't find anything definite. From what little I could find out the major problem seems to be paypal not verifying accounts in your country but no reason was given.

You know, I just checked the Paypal main site, and it does list Serbia as a country they serve. So you might want to try and open a Paypal account again. If you have problems contact CS to get help opening your account. Once you have a paypal account you should have no problems on ebay with most international sellers like the ones in Hong Kong that sell the adapter you need.

If you still can't open a paypal account then you might want to contact the seller for alternate payment. Most likely if you can offer them some kind of reliable international way to pay them they will ship to you. Also, if you have any friends in nearby countries that don't have the payment problem you can always buy through them.

A third option is to check into an Asian brokering company. I've used a few for buying things on the Japanese auction sites like Yahoo and others. It cost me a little more, but I was able to buy items I could not otherwise purchase like rare CDs that are only available in Japan.

And, IIRC, someone was talking about how to use them in this thread or another here on EEVblog. So you might want to read this thread from the beginning or search for it here on the forums.

Solder a 6-pin SIP header onto some veroboard or protoboard, and then either a 6-pin or 10-pin (or both) DIP header on the other side. Solder wires between the correct signal pins and voila! You've got your very own conversion board.

Thanks, sounds a good idea, but the main problem I'm having is which pins go to which pins?I have a pinout diagram for a 10 and 6 pin DIP with MISO, MOSI, SCK, RES, etc. and a 6 pin SIP with PGC, PGD, etc.How do they equate to each other ?Thanks,Paul

I know that they have but I am from SERBIA and we can not buy still by ebay and from china they are close waySo i am stuck with this adapter and if someone have a time to trace me from original adapter i will be thanks for thatThank you

I didn't know that Serbia couldn't use paypal, unlike most of the world.

I did a little research into your problem but couldn't find anything definite. From what little I could find out the major problem seems to be paypal not verifying accounts in your country but no reason was given.

You know, I just checked the Paypal main site, and it does list Serbia as a country they serve. So you might want to try and open a Paypal account again. If you have problems contact CS to get help opening your account. Once you have a paypal account you should have no problems on ebay with most international sellers like the ones in Hong Kong that sell the adapter you need.

If you still can't open a paypal account then you might want to contact the seller for alternate payment. Most likely if you can offer them some kind of reliable international way to pay them they will ship to you. Also, if you have any friends in nearby countries that don't have the payment problem you can always buy through them.

A third option is to check into an Asian brokering company. I've used a few for buying things on the Japanese auction sites like Yahoo and others. It cost me a little more, but I was able to buy items I could not otherwise purchase like rare CDs that are only available in Japan.

And, IIRC, someone was talking about how to use them in this thread or another here on EEVblog. So you might want to read this thread from the beginning or search for it here on the forums.

Anybody could advice what to check if self check result is like attached picture ... so "Overcurrent protection action, Short circuit" on pin no 4 ?

I just received programmer and tried to id and read 29F800BB TSOP which I tested with GQ-4X just fine. TL866A can't identify the chip at all.

br

Seems like a VPP pin driver is burned or stuck; please check with an voltmeter between ground (the metallic shield of the USB connector) and the ZIF socket pin 4. If you have some voltage reading then the VPP pin 4 driver is bad.

Has anyone noticed this, not sure all the devices this applies to but on some PICS some fuse settings are inverted! Here for example on a 18F2550 for everything apart from CP, CPD, WRT and EBTR are inverted!, a checkbox = 0 and not 1. This left me scratching my head for abit more than I'd like to admit when my program wouldn't run :-DD

Has anyone noticed this, not sure all the devices this applies to but on some PICS some fuse settings are inverted!

Yes that is thanks to Microchip, see datasheet page 282, paragraph 25.1

Quote

The configuration bits can be programmed (read as ‘0’) or left unprogrammed (read as ‘1’) to select variousdevice configurations. These bits are mapped starting at program memory location 300000h.

So a '1' means that this feature is off. The values in the program look correct but they have choosen to implement the checkbox that if you check it that feature is on, so a '0'. They even say it in that picture (Note: checked is zero) , how much more clearer would you like it?

Hmm did I not realise!, PIC programming software I have used in the past has handled it oppositely.

However the C\code projection related bits would still inverted then? I have programmed the above chip with code protection set to on (no checkmark) and I was definitely able to read back from the device.

However the C\code projection related bits would still inverted then? I have programmed the above chip with code protection set to on (no checkmark) and I was definitely able to read back from the device.

Again, a checkmark means ON! (So the actual bit is set to zero). So no checkmark is OFF! (actual bit set to one), so it is correct.If you want code protection set the checkmark. ;)

:clap:tank you RADIOMAN for your greatest work, i had buy a willem tru usb on SIVAVA.com and i transform it in TL866A , i have a question: can i use it as the same at JTAG or BDM (with another software or modifing and reflashing pic18F87J50) if yes how i can do, and wich software use for this?you are very best ! :-+

Really awesome your work Radioman. Deserves recognition and gratitude of all.Hopefully you can do the same with the very expensive and almost useless EMP30, the elusive of NeedhamsI do not really think it's worth,it´s cost $ 1000 and did not have the fourth part of the work that I have met with TL866CSThank you very much, greetings from the Caribbean

Recently my acer S231HL LED monitor, lost settings screenI need flash chip ID display, is a ST404RP.is possible with the TL866CS?If that is not possible, how I can docan someone upload the datasheet of this IC ST404RPthanks in advance, I really need help

i had buy a willem tru usb on SIVAVA.com and i transform it in TL866A , i have a question: can i use it as the same at JTAG or BDM (with another software or modifing and reflashing pic18F87J50) if yes how i can do, and wich software use for this?

I am very curious what is inside of this willem true usb programmer, if you can please post a picture with PCB. Regarding to JTAG and BDM i don't know, maybe is possible with a custom firmware but such custom firmware does not exist right now.

Piolo Thanks, yes that's right st404rp,is not a jfet, I attached picture to see,need helpI reiterate thank you in advance

Ok if you look at your 2nd picture it says on the pcb EEP_WP this is probably the WriteProtect signal for an EEProm.Furthermore you can see SDA and SCL so this would be an I2C eeprom.Do some fingerprinting (which pin is Vdd which Vss which SDA which SCL and which is EEP-WP), then also connect for instance a buspirate and get the I2C address of this chip and you already are 80% there.

HI, RADIOMANEsecuse me for my bad English…you can see your own post on page 19 on this thread:Really? Then check this: http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html (http://www.sivava.com/slt866_willem-usb.html) or this: http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html (http://www.sivava.com/willem_programmer-svv.html)Rebranded version or copy/clone? Ah! and the name SLT866 is funny also.

The program is very interesting: http://www.darkwire.com.au/html/willem_usb_programmer.html (http://www.darkwire.com.au/html/willem_usb_programmer.html)

sounds familiar? I had exactly this.Reguard other use, This is an example of multi interface that use a pichttp://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate (http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate)This is an example of usb JTAG programmerhttp://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71204 (http://team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71204)

Is there any trick to be able to write to a 25Q064A? I tried all possible options and no luck.I also ordered SSTVF064C (Microchip bought SST sometime back) and same thing.The exact chips are not listed, the closest ones are the Renesas R1EX25064A and the Xicor X25F064, both in SOIC8 package.Any help would be appreciated. I tested the TL866 and worked fine programming Eproms and Flash memories of the parallel type, nothing serial type.

Didn't realise these have been covered in here, what a great little programmer, I have the TL866A which actually cost me less than the CS version, got it next day delivered in the UK, the CS versions were a couple of quid more but came with 9 adapters, however I ordered the 9 adapters for my A from Hong Kong for very little money.

Mine also has the removable Black Aries ZIF socket, which I like, seems sturdy.

I don't use any other programmer now, this has replaced far more expensive stuff, what a great little tool and I urge anyone to consider this who needs a programmer.

This my first post here. I send email to seller for adding support for TMS87PC110. He wrote "The manufacturer will publish the new designed version software early 2014. Then we can ask him if he can add TMS87PC110"

I don't have any experience this tool yet, i bought it for backup tool (car chips/flash)

Greetings and congratulations to everyone in the new year. Radioman, I want to bring to the forum, the next question be possible in the near future, with the marvelous TL866CS program, the following: HYNIX: HY27U/HY29F...... MICRON: MT29F...... SAMSUNG: K9F/K9K/K9G......

On the other hand, what criteria you judge these two usb programmers :

Radioman, I want to bring to the forum, the next question be possible in the near future, with the marvelous TL866CS program, the following: HYNIX: HY27U/HY29F...... MICRON: MT29F...... SAMSUNG: K9F/K9K/K9G......

Well, at first sight the 5000+ is from another league, 48pin socket, jtag, FPGA, CPLD over 21000 devices! The 2000+ model well, is more like TL866 (but more expensive) but from what i see its supporting JTAG and supported devices is over 7000.Regarding to PC software well its OK, but below of TL866 minipro.

Here's a brief analysis I thought I'd share with you. (My first post here, so be gentle.)

I ran the MiniPro device list thru Excel and sliced-and-diced the data a bit.I was mainly interested in how many unique devices were really supported.So regardless of manufacturer or package type, each listed device was reduced to the industry standard part number.Then the number of devices in the MiniPro list that map to that industry standard list was totaled.And then the entire list was sorted based on most popular to least.

For example, the single part with the most number of manufacturers and packaging implementations is the serial 9346 eeprom.Of the total number of parts in the 13137 long MiniPro list, the 9346 serial eeprom accounts for 524 of those parts....about 4%.

If you include the top three parts on the list (9345, 9356, 9366... all serial eeproms) all possible manufacturers and packaging options account for 1354 of the 13137 listed MiniPro parts. Three parts account for over 10%!

The attached graph shows the cumulative effect of how a few parts dominate the MiniPro list.Further, note how list is inflated by the number of Serial eeProm entires.

Here's part of the list. This shows that of the 1044 unique industry part numbers in the MiniPro list of 13137, that only 34 of 1044 unique parts are needed to account for 50% (6579 entries) of MiniPro's 13137 entries .The graph shows that only 157 devices are needed to account for 10003 of the 13137 entries.

The second part of the analysis placed each of the 13137 listed parts into 1 of 40 part series.This makes it clear how a few predominate serial eeprom families along with the 29-series flash, and 27-series UV eproms account for the vast majority of the MiniPro's repertoire.

Here's a brief analysis I thought I'd share with you. (My first post here, so be gentle.)

Welcome to the forum NateOcean! Good job with this analysis! Yes I know that the supported device list is somewhat artificially inflated, it is more like a database. For example there are only 40 programming algorithms implemented in the current firmware, so every supported device belongs to one of these algorithms; if I remember correctly approx. 6000+ devices (serial eeproms) are mapped in only three programming algorithms (24-i2c, 93-microwire and 25-spi), so if they want to add a new chip and this chip already have a programming algorithm implemented then is simple, is just a copy paste with name and eventually chip ID changed!

On the other hand if they want to add a new chip which doesn't have a preexisting algorithm implemented then they must implement it in firmware first and after that to add the newly created algorithm in PC software client, test it, release a new version, and every user must reflash this new version.

my programmer arrived, thanks to this forum my TL866CS is now a TL866A :)The help file was in Chinese and nobody seems to have an English version so by way of contributing back to the site I created an English version of the help file. It's far from perfect but definitely a step in the right direction.

replace the MiniProHelp.chm file in the folder where you installed the programmer software with the one in the zip file.(rename the original first just in case there are any problems but there shouldn't be)

my programmer arrived, thanks to this forum my TL866CS is now a TL866A :)

Congratulations! What method you used for conversion (external programmer or direct firmware reflash)?Regarding to your question about firmware disassembling, yes I did some disassembling; in fact serial/device Id decryption and other features of my tool is based on the firmware disassembly ;)

I used your tool to generate the firmware images and also to reflash the firmware.Later on I connected a pickit2 to the internal programming header in debugger mode. This was only partially successful as the debugger has to add some code and every so often the programmer stops working presumably because it fails to checksum. I recover it by using the pickit2 to reflag the device.I couldn't get the save current firmware to work, no idea how to load the dumper or where to get it from.

I didn't like any of the free disassemblers I could find so I wrote an intelligent disassembler for this specific pic, just adding some refinements and then I'll start seriously trying to reverse engineer the firmware concentrating on the programming routines as you seem to have the downloader well in hand

I couldn't get the save current firmware to work, no idea how to load the dumper or where to get it from.

The firmware dumper must be programmed into device to work with! it is nothing more than a custom firmware. You need to browse for update.dat file, check the "Use firmware dumper" radio button and click Reflash. After that the dump button will become active and you can save the current firmware. After you end with the dumper you must write a working firmware (A or CS) at your choice; so check "TL866A firmware" or "TL866CS firmware" and click reflash again! this will restore your device.

I didn't like any of the free disassemblers I could find so I wrote an intelligent disassembler for this specific pic, just adding some refinements and then I'll start seriously trying to reverse engineer the firmware concentrating on the programming routines as you seem to have the downloader well in hand

I don't like PIC asm at all with those RAM banks switching and crappy asm syntax, it is very hard to follow the program flow, but well I can live with that :)For me MPLABX and its disassembler/debugger was enough for my needs. Also if you need any help please tell me i can help as far i can including the source code for my custom "dumper" firmware.

That would be great indeed. I would like to offer my help but I'm currently studying for some exams and I will be able to offer some help (I'm a CS student, but not much experience with pics/mcus) in a ~month time (if you would accept/need help of course).

And thanks to all the work you two heroes do! I'm sure I'm not the only one dreaming of a somehow open programmer (I found some interesting chips that use basicly UART to program them - but autoelectric people are not interested it seems.)

It would be good to come up with our own firmware and PC application that is compatible with the original but that has extra devices and features

that would indeed be great! Currently I'm using OSX and the only way to use this programmer is by using a virtual machine on my computer running Window$. Until the last update, VirtualBox would refuse to connect the TL866 to the virtual machine, so I had to use Parallels to make any use out of it.I think that the TL866 would be interesting for more hackers if they could use it directly with the operation system of their choice.I am willing to support with software development as soon as the protocol has been sucessfully reverse engineered and documented...

That's what I was thinking about some time ago. But I don't have the correct knowledge/experience on how to design the overall system for this. How much logic would be needed in the device and how much in the software on the PC itself.So if someone can shed some light on what other programmers use and what would be a good system design - I can help with the implementation.

Also if someone is interested in private (or public, but for that github and bitbucket are probably better for public stuff) project hosting/repository (via GitLab: git, wiki, issues, ...) send me a message and I can set up something.

Does this device truly support Atmel's GALs? I see support for the ATF16V8B but I'm skeptical as the algorithm for programming these is different than that for Lattice's GALs.

I'm using TL866 with ATF16V8B and it support these devices. But... sometimes I get "Overcurrent protection error" with some parts. Sometimes this is temporarily error, sometimes is permanent. All devices are "new".

when I program winbond 25q64fv with minipro tl866 it comes this message (http://im32.gulfup.com/dOana.png) (http://www.gulfup.com/?JIK0U5)how to clear otp(http://im37.gulfup.com/stnqN.png) (http://www.gulfup.com/?5n5zbs)

that would indeed be great! Currently I'm using OSX and the only way to use this programmer is by using a virtual machine on my computer running Window$. Until the last update, VirtualBox would refuse to connect the TL866 to the virtual machine, so I had to use Parallels to make any use out of it....

TL866 does work, just use the Oracle virtualbox install, not the repository version. The repo one does not handle the USB passthrough correctly, though it will do media and HID devices perfectly, it will not do other classes of device. All you lose is the automatic update, you will have to watch kernel versioning, though if you install the repository version first it does then keep the kernel updated, as the Oracle one uninstalls it partially during install.

I'm currently trying to get my TL866 running under virtualbox but can not get the virtual machine to attach to the usb. I think this is referred to as "USB pass through". According to prior blog comments this may be due to the software source. Could someone explain the difference between "Oracle virtualbox install" and "repository version". More specifically where do I go to get the correct install.

I tried using 2 older Virtual box revisions (4.2.22 and 4.2.20 ) along with their respective extension pack but I still could not get it to "usb pass through". I can see the MiniPro as a choice in the device drop down menu, but when selected it will not put a check mark next to the device. If I return to the drop down menu and try enable it again I get an error message stating that the device is servicing another request - I assume it's referring to the initial request. If I replug in the usb I can repeat the process with the same results.

I also tried the above attempts with "Enable USB 2 (EHCI) controller" ON/OFF with both VB revisions.

Improvements:Windows 8 support.Up to four programers simultaneously.Improved Gui for different display DPI.

Also my firmware updater/generator still working :) the update.dat file structure was not changed, this is good for me!

I will release an advanced version of my tool with the ability to change bootloader version, device serial number and copy protect bit on the fly; one of forum member tested this new version and the result was good.

Also my firmware updater/generator still working :) the update.dat file structure was not changed, this is good for me!

I will release an advanced version of my tool with the ability to change bootloader version, device serial number and copy protect bit on the fly; one of forum member tested this new version and the result was good.

Here is the new version of my firmware updater: TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq)Now you can transform your device version (by changing bootloader version) on the fly, without need of an external programmer. In my previous version the bootloader remained unchanged, and firmware upgrades from minipro software was not possible.

Also you can change code protection bit and device serial number, just in case, who knows what autoelectric is planning, but from what i seen in their "new redesigned interface" probably not.

Thanks Radioman for your magic software. I don't need to use because I have the A version but your dedication is appreciated.I downloaded the new version and it told me to update "Firewire" :) I assume they meant firmware. Went to tools, reflash firmware and everything is good :)Now it supports the chips I needed to program to repair an HP Envy 20 motherboard last month :( a little bit late ......I hope they keep supporting the unit for a long time. :)

Hello!I have problems with programming bios chip MX29LV800CTTC (from an notebook)I can read and erase chip, but when i try to programm with new BIOS rom file i getting error(http://s11.postimg.org/yc8qlxs8v/error.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yc8qlxs8v/)

There is NO error when i tried to program with FFFFFs!!!

I tried both adapters adapter with soldering the chip and adapter without soldering needed so i assume is not ''bad connection'' issue.

Must be a bad pin contact or something to zif40 adapter, if you get verify errors at random addresses. Also you don't have verify errors with FF's because of pull-up resistors on the data bus, so if a pin has a bad contact then that pin will be always read as 1.

Try to insert TSOP48 adapter in another position in the ZIF40 socket maybe is a bad contact.

In hardware yo must solder a 6-pin connector to unpopulated ICSP header:(http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/?action=dlattach;attach=80449;image)After that you must reflash your device with A firmware and this can be done in different ways depending on if you have an pic programmer or not.

Must be a bad pin contact or something to zif40 adapter, if you get verify errors at random addresses. Also you don't have verify errors with FF's because of pull-up resistors on the data bus, so if a pin has a bad contact then that pin will be always read as 1.

Try to insert TSOP48 adapter in another position in the ZIF40 socket maybe is a bad contact.

well, in this case you can do it in two ways: a simple and safe method and a dangerous and "complicate" method.

The simple method of changing from TL866CS to TL866A version:1. download my firmware updater here: TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq) and unzip it.2. connect your device to USB cable.3. run TL866.exe from the above downloaded archive4. in the update.dat file section browse for that file (you can find this file in the minipro installation folder)5. in the "Firmware to write" section select TL866A firmware6. click reflash buttonYour device will be reflashed with the A firmware version.Done!The only drawback of this method is that future firmware upgrades can be done only with my tool, the minipro software will revert to original "CS" version.

The dangerous and complicated method:1. run TL866.exe from downloaded archive2. in the update.dat file section browse for that file (you can find this file in the minipro installation folder)3. in the "Firmware to write" section select firmware dumper4. click reflash buttonnow a custom firmware will be programmed into your device, just wait to finish5. The Advanced button will become available, just click it and another window will appear!6. in this advanced window we have three fields: Bootloader section, Copy protection section and device serial number section7. in the Bootloader section select "A Bootloader" and click Write buttonnow your bootloader will be reflashed.8. just close this advanced window and from main window in the "Firmware to write" section select TL866A firmware9. click reflash buttonnow your device will be reflashed with the A version firmware.done!With this method your device will be permanently transformed to A version and future upgrades will be possible from minipro software. But why is this method dangerous? because if something goes bad (power failure, computer crash etc.) during bootloader reflash your device will be bricked (and you will need an external programmer).

Please identify the selected memory circled in the picture?? maybe someone has an original charge??The problem is that the upgrade to v6.00, the program sees the adapter is fake.Thanks you in advance for any help.

Sorry, but this is just not true. The Xeltek programmer I own was first released a couple of years AFTER XP 64-bit was released, and there was a large base of users (including myself) clamoring for 64-bit support from Xeltek for a long time (with the above posted quote their general response). They basically made the decision not to bother with putting ANY time into offering 64-bit drivers except with newer models they released. This has nothing to do with the latest OS support (unless you consider a 2001 OS as the latest) - it's just a lazy and/or stupid business practice - and I don't doubt they lost some previous customers because of it. They certainly lost my business.

They weren't alone in refusing to support XP 64-bit. At the time it just wasn't worth the effort for most companies to do it. It was only when Vista (or more likely 7) was available that 64-bit versions of Windows on workstations became common enough to make it worth the effort. There are a few bad habits you have to reverse when you're making a 64-bit clean driver (assuming that a pointer is freely assignable to an int is the big one).

Please identify the selected memory circled in the picture?? maybe someone has an original charge??The problem is that the upgrade to v6.00, the program sees the adapter is fake.Thanks you in advance for any help.

Hello,I think it's a PIC12F629 family...It looks useless to do the job..It's function is only for checking if the adapter is genuine.The data between the TL866 and the adapter is different each time and impossible to simulate.And of course the PIC program is protected and impossible to read.The only solution is to disconnect the control in the TL866 firmware..help Radioman ;-)

The data between the TL866 and the adapter is different each time and impossible to simulate.

How do you found this? >:D

Quote

The only solution is to disconnect the control in the TL866 firmware..help Radioman ;-)

Unfortunately i don't have an TSOP adapter (yet), but i will not patch the TL866 firmware. The firmware will and must remain intact as is provided by the manufacturer.The best solution is:1. Return the adapter and ask the seller to provide a genuine one.2. Hack the encryption algorithm used in that chip and reprogram it to act as "genuine" one.

Obviously you must find the hardware differences (if any) between V0, V3 and a fake adapter.Hint: The firmware sends an encrypted block of 10bytes (question) to the adapter and also wants 10bytes (answer) from the adapter. ;)

Ok. you don't have the 5.91 version, download it here: Minipro V5.91 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/b3h3e7axrf47vr3/MiniProV591.zip) and unzip it somewhere in a folder.

then download my firmware updater here: TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq) and unzip it.In my firmware updater folder you will find a exe file called TL866.exe; run it!Once the firmware updater starts, browse for a file called update.dat in the above downloaded 5.91 minipro folder.Click the reflash button!Done. You should have now the 3.2.61 firmware version. Just use minipro.exe from the 5.91 folder to work.If you will later want to use the 6.0 version of minipro you will be asked to reflash the firmware and obviously the minipro 6.0 version will upgrade the firmware again to 3.2.62 version.

Hello Radioman,I had tested the chip last month,and forget the reference..It is certainly a attiny and not a PIC because the gnd is on the pin4 and +5v on the pin8

I have read the communication between TL866 and adapter with a "Salae" 8 bits device and software,pin 2 and 3 are connected to pin 7and 8 of the TL866 through 1,1Kone give a clock signal and the other data..Each time you click on the "help/about/tsop48detect",you can record a communication on three parts.and it's never the same :-\

I have read the communication between TL866 and adapter with a "Salae" 8 bits device and software,pin 2 and 3 are connected to pin 7and 8 of the TL866 through 1,1Kone give a clock signal and the other data..Each time you click on the "help/about/tsop48detect",you can record a communication on three parts.and it's never the same :-\

Yes i know... The encryption used is very tricky, the first part is simple, but to understand the whole i need to decipher the next two data blocks. Thanks again for your sample captures.

Woohoo! Finally signed up on the forum. Been a viewer for sometime now but never used the forum. Why am I here? I was watching this video and it was killing me that Dave didn't see why the first launch of the software was only showing a sub-set of the parts in the search. This thread has 27 pages and I would have loved to read them all to see if someone caught this, but I just can't do 27 pages. Sorry....

So Dave... why was the software only showing a sub-set of the devices? What does a search normally consist of? Parameters, yes, like company, etc. and... yes? KEYWORDS! http://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif) You had 27128 in the keyword field. I don't know why it was showing 512 parts but I am pretty sure it was filtering on the keyword you entered.

I asked seller does his TSOP-48 adapter is genuine and work with newest software, he told me, all is genuine and in case that adapter not work with 6.00 or any newer version he will refund me.Well, we will see....at least we will have info about one more ebay seller.

Not a linux nor a programmer guy here, if its possible by design, does this mean I can request and hopefully you're wiling to implement a new type memory device that is not supported at the original TL866 windoze program ? 8)

Not a linux nor a programmer guy here, if its possible by design, does this mean I can request and hopefully you're wiling to implement a new type memory device that is not supported at the original TL866 windoze program ? 8)

I didn't have time to look at it in detail (and my minipro knowledge isn't that good) but unfortunately no. At least not at the moment, but looks like a good start to something. Now only if radioman ports his utility to linux - we would have a good starting toolbox on linux. Preatty please (I can help, depending on the language/framework/libraries used)?

I was so excited before that I forgot to thanks eLAB for the link and the author for his work.

eLAB: If you're in contact with him, could you ask him to register here? Or maybe he hangs out in any english forums? If not - would he be interested in a mailinglist or some other sort of mass communication?

I was so excited before that I forgot to thanks eLAB for the link and the author for his work.

eLAB: If you're in contact with him, could you ask him to register here? Or maybe he hangs out in any english forums? If not - would he be interested in a mailinglist or some other sort of mass communication?

Please, try to register at github and contact him, I`m not in contact with author.

I was so excited before that I forgot to thanks eLAB for the link and the author for his work.

eLAB: If you're in contact with him, could you ask him to register here? Or maybe he hangs out in any english forums? If not - would he be interested in a mailinglist or some other sort of mass communication?

Please, try to register at github and contact him, I`m not in contact with author.

Oh sorry then I misunderstood you. I'm already a member of github and I'll contact him.Thanks again for the link!

I bought the bigger pkg that sunwenjun has (went for the A model and it seems there is a 'black zif socket' version, now). has anyone seen the new magical black socket? are we trading one color of fake for another or is this really a better made socket?

for a few extra dollars, I will give it a try. this is the one I bought:

I added an extra $15 for 'faster shipping' and we'll see how long it takes. I'm in somewhat of a hurry, as my tek scope is now disassembled on the bench waiting for this thing to come so I can copy the dallas chip and 'save my settings' ;)

I doubt I'll need any of those extra adapters but better to be safe and get them now than sorry and wish I had gotton them.

Assuming you're a linux programmer, aren't you ? Please, if you had a chance, take a peek at above linux based programmer, whether its possible to make it to support the Cypress Semi FM1608 "F-RAM" chip ? Datasheet -> Here (http://www.cypress.com/?docID=43874)

Why ? Simple, since you have the Tek 2465B, and the main reason you bought this is you're going to backup & refresh the Dallas DS1225Y chip, right ? >:D I'm trying to find a better alternative to this pesky battery based SRAM chip with above F-RAM based chip. ::)

The only differences from Dallas is only this ->

"DS1225 needs the Chip Enable (CE) pin to be enabled "once" for multiple read/write operations, while the FM1608 needs the CE pin to be "toggled or switched to low state" at every read/write operation, the memory address changed and latched on CE 's edge, not the state/condition of the CE pin, whiled everything else are identical."

I have these below sitting gathering dust since I bought them on impulse without checking the details and I was "assuming" its compatible with the DS1225. |O

I already downloaded the github kit, created a debian pkg and installed it. so at least I know it builds. I have not looked at it yet but I plan to, and try it along with the windows standard version.

yes, initially will use it to copy the old dallas battery ram chip to a new one. will be glad to have a chip burner on hand even though it won't get used every day.

I can look into that chip of yours. can't promise anything but I'll give it a look. haven't even checked what the linux version of the software is written in, but I do C for a living so if its something close to C I might be able to hack it.

the programmer should be here in about 2 weeks. it does not look like 'fast shipping' is going to be all that fast and my scope refurb task is going to be somewhat blocked by this.

I bought the bigger pkg that sunwenjun has (went for the A model and it seems there is a 'black zif socket' version, now). has anyone seen the new magical black socket? are we trading one color of fake for another or is this really a better made socket?

Well from my experience from much better and very expensive programmer (VP-990), black ARIES socket was complete..crap.After two year, frequently I saw warnings about bad contacts at pins. At the end, socket was removed and I could see...all pins was bad inside socket (oxidation). Bought green socket, 3M (gold plated or looks like :)), now works perfect.

then again, who knows: is the green one real or fake? black one real or fake? given that they are all probably fakes, which is the one that sucks less? ;)

worst case, I can replace with a real genuine one. I see some real old surplus ones locally, although it looks like they might be dirty and cleaning them might be more trouble than its worth.

as soon as my programmer gets here, I'll be motivated to look at the C code. I'd love to have linux support and not have to boot windows or VM's or any of that nonsense. too bad the vendors still mostly ignore linux even though its EASIER (and cheaper) to develop for/on linux than any other platform. sigh...

Does anyone know any way of copy-pasting ASCII text into a memory chip using the TL866? I am finding that I can manually type each character in, but although a "paste" option appears apon right-clicking the feild, it doesn't do anything.

Does anyone know any way of copy-pasting ASCII text into a memory chip using the TL866? I am finding that I can manually type each character in, but although a "paste" option appears apon right-clicking the feild, it doesn't do anything.

Save it with Ctrl+S and use a external hex-editor to edit it then open it with Ctrl+O and flash it

Hello everybody, I'm new here. Searching for solutions to my TL866CS programmer I come to this place. Lots of interesting information's here. I've been reading whole thread and there's plenty of useful things. Congratulation to all contributors.Now the problem I encounter... Reading 29F200 flash memory (sop44)... I'm getting different read every time, also when verifying. Checked adapters and good contact, ID is all good. If I'm reading different flash memory ex 29F400 (tsop48) there's no problem. Anybody encounter this? Thanks.

I have no problems with 29F100s and others in that series type. Have you looked at a memory dump? How many bytes look wrong?There's usually huge chunks of FFs or 00s. Is it very slow memory? Maybe CS etc is too fast?I've had similar problems in the past and have to ADD pull-up resnets on the address lines, and pull-dn on the data bus. app 33-100KI even made a custom adapter with selectable jumpers. If you have an oscilloscope, you'll see immediately if all the address / data linesare "clean", or if there's loading / timing issues.

Thank for quick replying. @ EdoNork - Yes I'm using the right adapters. In software we can find the right adapters to use once we select the right eeprom/memory/flash etc....

@ digsys - Different checksum at every read/verify, sometime around 12000 differences sometime around 3000 difference (never the same number of differences, always different read) . I've tried AM29F200BB and AM29F200AB they are found on cars ecu. I think they are fast chips since the car injection map is loaded into this flash memories. My old parallel port Willem PCB.5 reads them spot on.... I've made solder on type adapter for my Willem but they don't last so many soldering/unsoldering.... Would love to be able to read them into supplied TL866 adapter because they don't need any soldering. Your custom adapter solution looks interesting, would you mind posting a picture? Sorry I don't have any oscilloscope... Back on my problem.... Could be related to speed/timing issues? I even tried a usb powered hub thinking my laptop could not supply enough juice to programmer... Still no luck....Thanks.

- try to wash pins fom 29F200 with alcohol (or some other cleaner) and gently pass thru all pins with some precise tweezers....then try read it with ZIF socket. ZIFs are very good, but only way to have 100% good contact is to solder IC (soldering adapter).

I bought a minipro tl866 cs and updated it to ver.6. At first it works fine but then i notice that I cant select the erase function or the erase button doesnt work. Did you encounter this guys? Help is greatly appreciated. Tnx

I notice that Lynx in India (an active member on this forum) are listed as Agents for 'Autoelectric' on the Chinese website.

Well, I Am Thier Authorised Distributor In India .I Have Many Comments Of What Dave Had In This Video Of His .You Can Find My Name Here - > http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/order.htm (http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/order.htm) .Let Me Post All i Have Got Into This Thread .Dave i Am Stepping On Your Tail Lol :-DD

Hi lynx,I bought a minipro tl866 cs and updated it to ver.6, I notice that the erase function doesnt work or am I missing something? Can you help me pls?

sorry if this is too obvious a question, but I can't seem to find an english link to click on to get the latest firmware/software. can anyone provide it? should I just go with the latest downloadable, or is there a 'good' version to stay with?

I've installed the version that came on the cdrom and that worked, but I don't see an obvious link for latest support code.

Hi,only click on help....>update on line..then come a page ,with on the bottom left V6.00 in red and on the right "something1" and "something2" in blue...click on "something1 or 2 for downloading the update.the direct adress is "http://www.autoelectric.cn/minipro/minipro_setup.rar"

(Hello everybody, I'm new here. Searching for solutions to my TL866CS programmer I come to this place. Lots of interesting information's here. I've been reading whole thread and there's plenty of useful things. Congratulation to all contributors.Now the problem I encounter... Reading 29F200 flash memory (sop44)... I'm getting different read every time, also when verifying. Checked adapters and good contact, ID is all good. If I'm reading different flash memory ex 29F400 (tsop48) there's no problem. Anybody encounter this? Thanks.)

Hi I have exact the same problem with autocarg. I tried to read and write many times the flash 29F400BB sop44 but every time with different checksum. Please any help for this problem.Many thanks in advance.

(Hello everybody, I'm new here. Searching for solutions to my TL866CS programmer I come to this place. Lots of interesting information's here. I've been reading whole thread and there's plenty of useful things. Congratulation to all contributors.Now the problem I encounter... Reading 29F200 flash memory (sop44)... I'm getting different read every time, also when verifying. Checked adapters and good contact, ID is all good. If I'm reading different flash memory ex 29F400 (tsop48) there's no problem. Anybody encounter this? Thanks.)

Hi I have exact the same problem with autocarg. I tried to read and write many times the flash 29F400BB sop44 but every time with different checksum. Please any help for this problem.Many thanks in advance.

I try to update to version 6 but says message fake adapter and I reflash again to 5.91 + firmware, now don't appear message fake adapter but I can't read / write correct the flash 29f400 ( every time different checksum) what is bad ?1)base adapter2) sop 44 adapter3) programmer tl866a

"Base adapter" if I understand you correctly. That's the one with some chips on it (your first picture, left one) is not genuine. Radioman has been working on a solution for that, but I don't know how far he has come with this.

Now the problem I encounter... Reading 29F200 flash memory (sop44)... I'm getting different read every time, also when verifying. Checked adapters and good contact, ID is all good. If I'm reading different flash memory ex 29F400 (tsop48) there's no problem.

Hi I have exact the same problem with autocarg. I tried to read and write many times the flash 29F400BB sop44 but every time with different checksum. Please any help for this problem.Many thanks in advance.

"Base adapter" if I understand you correctly. That's the one with some chips on it (your first picture, left one) is not genuine. Radioman has been working on a solution for that, but I don't know how far he has come with this.

Is far enough! i have an experimental replacement firmware for that Attiny13, and also the first version of Linux version of my firmware updater is ready to be tested here: https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866 (https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866)

There's no do documentation yet on how to compile but i will update the readme file soon. Who want to contribute are welcome. Thanks.

Is far enough! i have an experimental replacement firmware for that Attiny13, and also the first version of Linux version of my firmware updater is ready to be tested here: https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866 (https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866)

There's no do documentation yet on how to compile but i will update the readme file soon. Who want to contribute are welcome. Thanks.

Hey radioman, I'm a noob when it comes to programming, let alone using Linux ???, just a stupid question if you don't mind. ;D

As long its supported by the existing hardware design, will your work there open the "opportunity" to support other chip that is not officially supported ?

Hey radioman, I'm a noob when it comes to programming, let alone using Linux ???, just a stupid question if you don't mind. ;D

As long its supported by the existing hardware design, will your work there open the "opportunity" to support other chip that is not officially supported ?

well, the response is yes and no :) how the whole thing is working? simple, we have three major layers here:1.PC software application2.Device firmware3.Hardware

The PC software application do not talk directly with the hardware but with the device firmware instead. The device firmware is implemented as a collection of programmingalgorithms; for example the 24C (i2c) series have a dedicated algorithm in firmware, 25 spi series have another dedicated algorithm and so on. Currently the 3.2.62 firmware version have exactly 41 programming algorithms. All of those >13000 supported chips belongs to one of the 41 programming algorithms, so if we want to add a new chip,then that chip must have the programming algorithm implemented in firmware, if no we are out of luck :(

The PC software is nothing more than a chip database manager which sends simple programming primitives to the device firmware which in turn do all the dirty job!So programming a chip is like this:1.PC software sends a simple command to the firmware like "Select protocol nr. X", the device firmware will then switch to that programming algorithm2.PC software sends/receive data blocks to/from firmware, the firmware will do the dirty job of manipulating pin drivers and talking with the chip

The problem is not the PC client software but the device firmware! Simple eh?

Hey radioman, I'm a noob when it comes to programming, let alone using Linux ???, just a stupid question if you don't mind. ;D

As long its supported by the existing hardware design, will your work there open the "opportunity" to support other chip that is not officially supported ?

well, the response is yes and no :) how the whole thing is working? simple, we have three major layers here:1.PC software application2.Device firmware3.Hardware

The PC software application do not talk directly with the hardware but with the device firmware instead. The device firmware is implemented as a collection of programmingalgorithms; for example the 24C (i2c) series have a dedicated algorithm in firmware, 25 spi series have another dedicated algorithm and so on. Currently the 3.2.62 firmware version have exactly 41 programming algorithms. All of those >13000 supported chips belongs to one of the 41 programming algorithms, so if we want to add a new chip,then that chip must have the programming algorithm implemented in firmware, if no we are out of luck :(

The PC software is nothing more than a chip database manager which sends simple programming primitives to the device firmware which in turn do all the dirty job!So programming a chip is like this:1.PC software sends a simple command to the firmware like "Select protocol nr. X", the device firmware will then switch to that programming algorithm2.PC software sends/receive data blocks to/from firmware, the firmware will do the dirty job of manipulating pin drivers and talking with the chip

The problem is not the PC client software but the device firmware! Simple eh?

Yes i know FM1608 , DS-1225 ;)

Here is the supported chip list arranged by programming algorithm

What about reverse engineering the firmware/fw algorithms? So there's already an open source PC client software, there's the updater that can be used to interchange the FWs, there's the schematic and a lot of other info (let's say which algorithms have the most devices in the list). I know that's not easy - but what I'm wondering if it's feasible? I tried to look up different programmer designs/protocols but didn't find much info on what a good design of such a system/protocol would be. So I'm wondering, would a completely new system/protocol be better? There doesen't seem to be much open source programmers which could be used as a base software or are they?

What about reverse engineering the firmware/fw algorithms? So there's already an open source PC client software, there's the updater that can be used to interchange the FWs, there's the schematic and a lot of other info (let's say which algorithms have the most devices in the list). I know that's not easy - but what I'm wondering if it's feasible? I tried to look up different programmer designs/protocols but didn't find much info on what a good design of such a system/protocol would be. So I'm wondering, would a completely new system/protocol be better? There doesen't seem to be much open source programmers which could be used as a base software or are they?

Yes, if we keep the bootloader, a new firmware can be made to work with those unsupported chips.

The problem is not the PC client software but the device firmware! Simple eh?

Appreciate the long post in explaining that, its crystal clear now ! :clap:

Cmiiw, the mechanism here is like the old day computing buzz word ... "client & server" thingy ::) , the client is just the pretty front end, while the "server" part is that poor little mcu that is doing all the dirty works.

I guess the real challenge & probably hard work is on the reverse engineering the whole circuit diagram + the mcu's code, aren't they ? ???

I bought the TL866CS with some adapters for a friend from them (CS + the second link adapters it seems) - no TSOP tho. So I don't know if they sell the genuine TSOP adapters (or their quality) but otherwise they were good. The package was quickly shipped and neatly packaged. Stuff looked ok and worked good. So quite decent seller from my experience (but I didn't deal a lot with them).

Check this seller (I bought from him and few more friends)..before buying I asked him about TSOP-48 adapter is it genuine or fake? He sent me pictures to see that it`s genuine adapter. In the meanwhile seller was added pictures and explanation in his auctions.Also, if You check here on forum You will see that genuine adapter looks exactly like on his pictures.

Hi. I'm quite new to all this stuff and I'd like to find out whether this TL866 might be the programmer that I need.I have downloaded and installed MiniPro 5.80 last night, but I couldn't find every option available, so please help.

Is there a way to set up manually the device code for I2C devices? For example, the device code for 24c02 is 1010 and I suppose this code is automatically used when 24c02 is selected. I don't know the type of the devices that I'm trying to read from, so I can't select their type from the list, but their device code is 1110. Using a ByVac bv4221-v2, after the command "x", the device answered "ec" and I was able to read from it using the command "s-ed", as expected.

Since "ec" = 11101100 and "ed" = 11101101 , that means the control code for this unknown device is 1110 and the chip enable bits are 110. As far as I noticed, in some programming software there is an option to select the chip enable bits, but in some other software there is not such option. Apparently, the latter assume that for every device the chip enable bits are 000, which is obviously wrong.

As I said, I'm quite new to this field and if I got something wrong, please correct me. But at this moment, I'm under the impression that this is what I need, a programmer that will allow me to select the device code and the chip enable bits. Is TL866 such a programmer? Many thanks.

Hi. I'm quite new to all this stuff and I'd like to find out whether this TL866 might be the programmer that I need.I have downloaded and installed MiniPro 5.80 last night, but I couldn't find every option available, so please help.

Sorry, but can't help more. If you use 5.80 version, its old. Please look here: http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MinProUpdate.htm (http://autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MinProUpdate.htm)

Here in this post: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728)

Here in this post: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728)

Here in this post: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg342728/#msg342728)

i think that we need a little wiki

Working on it, didn't have time (as I had some faculty stuff to do) to put any work into it, I have set up a mediawiki instance at http://minipro.txt.si (http://minipro.txt.si) though. There's basicly nothing in that wiki as of yet and I still have some work to wrap up before I'm going to have some more time to add content - but anyone is welcome to add/edit stuff to it. I'm also planing a minor "mirror" (of the official binaries, schematics, windows/linux builds of the various softwares for the TL866). Any feedback is welcome! Also if anyone is looking for any hosted services in relation to the TL866 (I don't know, project management ala gitlab, ....) I'd be happy to help!

I would have guessed the programmer had some simple primitives like put Vpp on pin x, Vcc on pin y and GND on pin z. Should be relative simple to implement IMHO.

You guessed well, the device has already implemented such programming primitives, they use these primitives for device self check and logic ic verify. The reason of why these primitives are not used in normal device programming is that it will be very slow to program a device in a such manner. Remember that the PIC18F87J50 is a full speed (12Mbps) device and the transfer type is of type 'bulk';this means that the bandwidth is not guaranteed and maximum packet size is 64 bytes.Depending on the usb host and OS the minimum packet latency will be somewhere between 3 and 10ms. So even if the data length is 1 byte or 64 bytes the transfer time will be the same, but will be more efficient for large amount of data.Let's say we want to program a device with 64K bytes in this manner, normally with the existing firmware primitives we can set all of those 40pins in one USB transfer and let's suppose that the USB latency is 5ms. Now with this setup we transfer one data byte in 5ms and one address increment command in another 5ms! the total amount of time will be ~10 minutes for a 64K device not counting the verify time. This is why the programming algorithms are implemented in firmware, because is more efficient to transfer large amounts of data over the usb and let the firmware to do the job much faster.

Actually the TL866 have only 39 control primitives and these primitives are grouped in categories like get device info, reset, start session, end session, erase chip, get chip Id, read data block, write data block and several pin and pin driver manipulation primitives.

It is a shame all the gore details are in the programmer and not into the PC side of things.

I would have guessed the programmer had some simple primitives like put Vpp on pin x, Vcc on pin y and GND on pin z. Should be relative simple to implement IMHO.

If there is a proper schematic I'm willing to help as I've some experience in PIC24F area (did a lot of programming on the BusPirate)

I quickly copy pasted (and uploaded) some stuff (including the answer Radioman gave to you) to http://minipro.txt.si/index.php?title=Design (http://minipro.txt.si/index.php?title=Design) (check the both PDFs for more in depth info). I know it's quick'n'dirty but at least it's a start.I'll also add the two open source programs/projects there are mentioned in this topic (Radiomans TL866 Updater and the linux client).

can the minipro tl866 support nand flash in open source softwarehttps://hackingbtbusinesshub.wordpress.com/category/hamming-code/ (https://hackingbtbusinesshub.wordpress.com/category/hamming-code/)http://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/reading-bare-nand-flash-chips-with-a-microcontroller/ (http://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/reading-bare-nand-flash-chips-with-a-microcontroller/)http://www.ejtag.ru/images/shop/usb-nand.jpg (http://www.ejtag.ru/images/shop/usb-nand.jpg)

Leave MiniPro TL-866 unconnected from USB while starting the WIN-XP virtual machine.After VM is completely booted and logged in plug in the MiniPro. My system then came up with a window that shows a new USB device was detected. Proceded with the normal MiniPro install and verify operation.

I was not able to get this to operate with WIN2000 but I do not think this was a VirtualBox issue since is was able to pass through the USB device.

Hey Rastro, thanks for the tips on Mac OS, cause I've been bugged "a lot" :-\ by a friend which is a hobbyist that uses Mac OS and experienced the same problem, and I just can't help him cause I don't know anything about Apple platform at all. Yes, its my own fault that introduced this Minipro to him from the 1st place. :-[

Ok. you don't have the 5.91 version, download it here: Minipro V5.91 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/b3h3e7axrf47vr3/MiniProV591.zip) and unzip it somewhere in a folder.

then download my firmware updater here: TL866 firmware updater (http://bit.ly/YaJYDq) and unzip it.In my firmware updater folder you will find a exe file called TL866.exe; run it!Once the firmware updater starts, browse for a file called update.dat in the above downloaded 5.91 minipro folder.Click the reflash button!Done. You should have now the 3.2.61 firmware version. Just use minipro.exe from the 5.91 folder to work.If you will later want to use the 6.0 version of minipro you will be asked to reflash the firmware and obviously the minipro 6.0 version will upgrade the firmware again to 3.2.62 version.

Do I need to determine the type of programmr cs or a

and one thing i did Updated to version v6 with a bios chip in zip soket Does this damage the tl886cs and thank for all of u and Special thanks to radioman

I bought the a-version since it was not much more expensive, no hacking needed and no danger of having to 'keep up' with any hacks if they change the firmware structure in the future. the cost difference was just not enough to care about, for me, at least.

Think you are right, probably better just to go for a A version. I tend to play around with Atmel and Arduino projects and they MCU's typically need a crystal attached, so the ICSP may be a better option.

@radiomanIt would be interesting to hear your approach figuring out the flash decryption routing ...Since it is a 8bit micro controller it should use some simple decryption routines or some look up tables as you have written in some of your post's.

@radiomanIt would be interesting to hear your approach figuring out the flash decryption routing ...Since it is a 8bit micro controller it should use some simple decryption routines or some look up tables as you have written in some of your post's.

Hi @ficho and welcome to the forum! well, this can be a long forum post explaining how the "encryption" works but instead you should read the source code of the firmware updater here https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866 (https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866). You right it uses some kind of lookup table for decryption.

Right now i'm quite busy working on the linux version of minipro software. Many TL866 users using Linux as their primary OS use VirtualBox only to run a simple windows executable; while this can be a solution, a better approach is to run the minipro.exe directly under linux through wine! Unfortunately while the application is running normally it can not access the hardware directly due to the different platform implementation. And here i am, developing a simple bridge between the minipro software and linux usb hardware as a simple wine library; you copy a simple .dll file in the minipro directory and you're done!

Hi radioman,I checked your project https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866 very nice work you have done there :), creating a Linux project is interesting and needs a lot of time and work.Implementing new algorithm's would be also interesting, as I can see no Motorola mcu's are included in support list.

Have been looking at the offerings on Ebay and have seen a number of TL866A's advertised. When looking at the pictures, the back of the units show TL866CS. Seller modifying them and pawning them off as A's?. Or do they all say TL866CS.

I asked but so far no response from the seller. Not sure how easy it would be to modify a CS to a A as to where it would be practical in terms of selling. Not that much of a price difference. Curious if others have a "A" model but the bottom sticker is marked "CS"

I bought the bigger pkg that sunwenjun has (went for the A model and it seems there is a 'black zif socket' version, now). has anyone seen the new magical black socket? are we trading one color of fake for another or is this really a better made socket?

Did you ever get the tl866a? Anything special about the black socket? :)

yes, I got it a long time ago. it seems to be fairly decent. the green ones seem a bit cheaper to me, but I don't have the green one that is the alternate for this seller. its hard to know if this is anything special or not, but I don't have a problem with the black one that I got. does not seem to be too bad and I've seen worse before.

I have one on order (black socket), but I've been using an Andromeda Labs EPROM+ for years. Rock solid, but it uses parallel. I still have access to parallel on my PC and laptop (via dock), but I thought I'd check out the TL866A anyway.

Hi ! Having problems with the TL866CS trying to program an ATMEGA328: reads OK, but when loading and HEX file to program I get the mesasge "Invalid Format". Am I missing something ? Using Arduino's bootloader HEX file, so I know it's valid and the same chip can be programmed with this same file using an AduinoISP.

Hi ! Having problems with the TL866CS trying to program an ATMEGA328: reads OK, but when loading and HEX file to program I get the mesasge "Invalid Format". Am I missing something ? Using Arduino's bootloader HEX file, so I know it's valid and the same chip can be programmed with this same file using an AduinoISP.

I found this post (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/from-arduino-to-something-more-permanent/msg344292/#msg344292) on EEVblog...

Also sounds like someone ran into something similar here (http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/3857). And here (http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,151021.0.html).

Hi Linux-works ! If you have the Arduino IDE installed you will find the file:\Arduino\hardware\arduino\bootloaders\optiboot\optiboot_atmega328.hexIf not, it's the same as the one provided in the Optiboot site.

Thanks tsmith35, in my case I can program successfully with another programmer (arduinoISP), but I fail with the MiniPro at opening the same Hex file... Since there are no file format options to select using Hex files with the MiniPro software, I can't select the proper format ( Intel 8 bit)... Anyway I think it's the de-facto standard for Hex files.

I have been playing with https://github.com/vdudouyt/minipro/ and I notice that even PICs with two config words (like 16F886) only have one config word. I tried a simple patch, but it looks like the underlying firmware may only read a fixed block.

Just a point to consider if anyone is interested. I don't know if the "official software" has the same issue or not.

Actually, that's not true. I opened V6 under Wine -- you can't actually connect to the USB but you can see the UI. Both config words are there. So it is possible.

The 113 and 115 types are programming algorithms implemented in firmware, and as you can see both categories is supporting low voltage serial programming (icsp) but is implemented only in the first category(113).

If you will try to unlock the icsp button for one of the device in the second category then it will not work, the minipro software send the command correctly (tested myself) but the firmware will ignore icsp parameter.USB sniffer:

I discover this wander full topic due to a search for AT866. Due to an error I buy a AT866A but I receive a AT866CS device. I follow the radioman steps and I change them in AT866A. I work in the electronics repair field ( big machine electronic modules, tractors, harvester etc. ) with a various eeprom, flash, micro... and I wan to give a try at this low cost programmer.

Because for a few chips ICSP connector is inactive, I use Enable Button ( at90s8535 ). Unfortunately I can't read this micro at90s8535. Radioman say it can be read. What is wrong ? I try ATMEGA 16, it work. I read at90s8535 with an USBASP and it work.

Any idea ?

Thank you kindly in advance.

Dan

P.S. Many thanks goes to Radioman for yours great and hard work.

a completion... I can not read with usbASP eeprom from AT90S8535 I can read only code memory, when I try to read eeprom avrdude says " vrdude -C avrdude.conf -c usbasp -p 8535 -U eeprom:r:"C:\Users\JohnDoe\Desktop\AT90S8535 - eeprom.hex":i -q

HI,Something about AVR ISP, some of them have configuration bit where ISP can be disabled and then osc type can be set to external osc, in config bit by mistake and then the ISP will not work for sure !!! (you have to connect it to an external osc to reprogram config bits ).

In a fit of boredom, I put together a GUI to drive the CLI tool. That's funny, because I don't actually use GUIs much myself, but....

This is just an early release and it works but isn't very useful. I have some wrapper ideas though that I may implement sometime later.. although as a CLI and this would be the GUI wrapper:

https://github.com/wd5gnr/qtl866

You need QT Creator to compile this. If you haven't used that before, run QT creator, open the .pro file and then press the big green RUN button ;-)

Screenshot attached.

Ok, I added one more thing of interest to the git repo (and will attach here too). A shell script: miniprohex -- It can figure out that if you provide a file with .hex or .srec that you mean for it to be an Intel hex or S-record file. It uses srec_cat (which needs to be on the path) to do the conversion on the way in or out. This doesn't work for fuses of course.

If you want to use it from the CLI you are good to go. If you want to use it from the GUI, open the options and point to it instead of minipro. srec_copy makes long records by default so add --obs 16 to the command line if you want "normal" 16 byte records.

Probably needs enhancements, but maybe you'll find one or the other useful.

By the way, I noticed a bug on the Windows software that I doubt it related to the USB patch for Linux.

Programming an 16F886 didn't quite work right. The problem turned out to be that the config word was not programmed. If you try to program the user ID, the config word doesn't get programmed. If you untick the user ID, the config word gets programmed and everything is fine. I don't know if this would apply to other PICs or not.

Just registered, hi to everybody.I'm a total beginner when comes to programming and I need some help.I have some Kenwood navigation units that have a common issue, corrupt EEPROM, that causing a rebooting issue.Somebody repairs these, but I'm trying to do this on my own.The chip is not in the supported list, it's a Toshiba TC58NVG1S3ETAI0. Here is the datasheet: http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components/Datasheet/TC58NVG1S3ETAI0.pdf (http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components/Datasheet/TC58NVG1S3ETAI0.pdf)I have read the whole 35 pages and I would really like to do this, but I'm not sure if it's possible.Radioman, salut din SUA, ex Clujean.

By the way, I noticed a bug on the Windows software that I doubt it related to the USB patch for Linux.

Programming an 16F886 didn't quite work right. The problem turned out to be that the config word was not programmed. If you try to program the user ID, the config word doesn't get programmed. If you untick the user ID, the config word gets programmed and everything is fine. I don't know if this would apply to other PICs or not.

My opinionThis hapends to me on 27sf512 The different what I see on my second programmer (batronix) is that tl 856 did not focus on the really size of ROM while batronix reads more linesBatronix reads half line more

And if you prefer a GUI, I put a wrapper over that program: https://github.com/wd5gnr/qtl866

Big thanx! :-+ ....will try also.I want to totally abandon Windows OS and switch to Linux....all jobs is possible to do in Linux, only programmers was problem (till now WinXP in Virtualbox was a solution).

And in the original Linux minipro there is a bug writing hex PIC fuses. I fixed it and put a pull request for the original author, but if you can't wait you can find my fork (wd5gnr) and clone from there.

It is also not possible to program the code then the fuses without erasing the chip. I proposed a fix for that as well.

Anything is possible. I've been working to add 2nd fuse word to the PIC. The Windows software supports it, but I haven't quite got it down. The real work is done in the firmware and to do anything really exotic, you'd probably need a disassemble of it or at least an explanation of the commands (minipro.h is pretty useful but not about the actual format).

I just posted a pull request that adds support for the 2nd fuse word for PICs. I only did it for the 16F886 though. Anyone know of a good list of which ones do have two fuse words? I know the 87x and 88x do. I know the 84 and (I think) the 628 do not. But there has to be a better way than just going through the data sheets for all of them.

I just purchased one of these programmers (the TL866a to be more specific) and it seems that either the Device is not working properly or I am clearly not doing anything right

To begin the Device is plugged into a Win 8.1 and Driver-Minipro client work properly.

From the beginning the device Fails the self-test on GND Pin 16 (Overcurrent protection action short circuit)which could indicate an issue. I tried to program a couple of devices 27256, 27128 and I am unable to write more than 1 bytes. I can read blanks without issue.The Device ID is almost never recognized and I have to disable check ID. I was only able to read successfully one AT27C010.

1) If the self test fails is this an indication that the device could be damaged.2) I tried 2 different PC on all USB ports with the same results. Could the issue be with not enough power?3) The Device comes with V600 of the Software/Firmware so looks like it is the latest and greatest.

New to the forum,do a lot of work with ecu and immo. Mostly 93xxx , 24xxx,and 95xxx, 35xxx there was no in circuit reading till I grounded c22. Now the units is reading correctly and in some cases the bits get switch. I have notice that some chip package act different 93xxx surface mount read and writes perfect in circuit. Same chip 93xxx threw hole mount will read good but always fails on the write in circuit. If I remove the chip all is good read and writes prefect. Is there a fix to correct in circuit read and write ? Any way to adjust speed or voltage to the target chip?

New to the forum,do a lot of work with ecu and immo. Mostly 93xxx , 24xxx,and 95xxx, 35xxx there was no in circuit reading till I grounded c22. Now the units is reading correctly and in some cases the bits get switch. I have notice that some chip package act different 93xxx surface mount read and writes perfect in circuit. Same chip 93xxx threw hole mount will read good but always fails on the write in circuit. If I remove the chip all is good read and writes prefect. Is there a fix to correct in circuit read and write ? Any way to adjust speed or voltage to the target chip?

Seems this device has no support for the 27C400 EPROM or device not supported. At least for the Willem programmers the following adapter is available. http://www.keeelectronics.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=36 (http://www.keeelectronics.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=36)

I am kind of wondering if this is the right device if compared to the GQ-4X Programmer. The TL866a I got from Day 1 was failing the Self-Test and might be defective. On a side note I disabled the OC Protection by shorting C22 and now most tests PASS except the OC Protection for the Vpp and Vcc. However I still cannot write in any of the standard 27C128 , 27C256, 27C512 or 27c010 EPROMS. 27C512-27C128 are not recognized and on 27C128 I can only write 1 Bytes that fails and with the wrong value.

Hi,where are you Radioman since mid-april ?I am waiting for news from you. You are an excelent researcher//developper.Do you try custom firmware inside the tl866 ?keep the bootloader and load a fonctional software ?bye

Hi to everyone, I'm new on this forum and I'm a new owner of TL866 too. Because I'm a Linux user I've checked first if TL866 works with Linux. Here is the time for greetings for radioman - man u did really good piece of work. But, there is a few to do yet. So, I've made small improvements into the linux version of radioman's tl866 software (ex. just erase chip) and (just when I polish the code - it's pretty ugly now) I want to share it. And I hope there 'll be a lot more to do to follow by original software, and even more. A propos - does anyone decompile MiniPro.exe? The mystery of TSOP48 and ATtiny13 is still a secret? I have original TSOP V3, but I'm a GNU follower and try to help if I can.Besides, I have a question about TL866 and 25Q64 (Winbond 25Q64FVSIG). Reading this chip takes about 98 seconds, it is less than 90kB/s - how does it corresponds to USB 12MBps? I know, that "burst mode" is not fastest mode, but 90kB is even much less than Low Speed (1.5MBs) and old Willem Eprom Programmer. Autoelectric - shame on You.Next topic is PIC18 in the programmer. I see, there's not too much space for new code - what Autoelectric is going to do? Stuck on supported chip list? No more new ones?Ok, it's time to inspect the code...

Hi to everyone, I'm new on this forum and I'm a new owner of TL866 too. Because I'm a Linux user I've checked first if TL866 works with Linux. Here is the time for greetings for radioman - man u did really good piece of work. But, there is a few to do yet. So, I've made small improvements into the linux version of radioman's tl866 software (ex. just erase chip) and (just when I polish the code - it's pretty ugly now) I want to share it. And I hope there 'll be a lot more to do to follow by original software, and even more. A propos - does anyone decompile MiniPro.exe? The mystery of TSOP48 and ATtiny13 is still a secret? I have original TSOP V3, but I'm a GNU follower and try to help if I can.Besides, I have a question about TL866 and 25Q64 (Winbond 25Q64FVSIG). Reading this chip takes about 98 seconds, it is less than 90kB/s - how does it corresponds to USB 12MBps? I know, that "burst mode" is not fastest mode, but 90kB is even much less than Low Speed (1.5MBs) and old Willem Eprom Programmer. Autoelectric - shame on You.Next topic is PIC18 in the programmer. I see, there's not too much space for new code - what Autoelectric is going to do? Stuck on supported chip list? No more new ones?Ok, it's time to inspect the code...

Again many thanks to radioman and vdudouyt.

The TSOP48/ATtiny13 info is accessible in the radioman's git repository https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866/tree/master/TSOP_EncryptionRegarding the supported chip list, if you look at the updates you'll see that the device gets only ~2 small updates per year or so. There're some additions and fixes, but nothing major. So I don't think we can expect much from them.

I just received mine and it works like a charm! I only advised the seller to change its headline (http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Performance-USB-TL866CS-Universal-Programmer-with-9-Adapters-for-12000-ICs-/170900787837?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ca7b127d) and properly state the correct number of adapters: they say 9 adapters but in fact it comes with 8 adapters plus a PLCC extractor. I saw other sellers doing this as well, therefore watch carefully the photos and description.

i got 2 new ds1250y-100+ and it seem there only a test function for this IC and the software give me a read error 31 when i try to test the nvram. (Data,Address,Unit enabled)

I have 2 ic, same problem, i have put them in a socket to be sure there no contact problem with the reader and still the same error.... i tried to read an old amd flash memory and i have no problem so i doubt it's some problem with the reader..

I want to backup my TDS754D nvram before some hacking, i see everywhere these chip are supported but for now even with the minipro updated to the last build i still have this read error 31 and only the test function...

Hello everyone. I'm new on this forum. Recently acquired TL866CS programmer without adapters, unfortunately.Now I need to read/write urgently two chips in the package TSOP48. I have only a ZIF socket TSOP48,but I have not any adapters.Please if anyone have circuit diagram on this adapters or pictures on the boards without chips and plastic holders please help me.Thank you kindly in advance.

Hello everyone. I'm new on this forum. Recently acquired TL866CS programmer without adapters, unfortunately. Now I need to read/write urgently two chips in the package TSOP48. I have only a ZIF socket TSOP48,but I have not any adapters. Please if anyone have circuit diagram on this adapters or pictures on the boards without chips and plastic holders please help me.

Well, looking at the photo of the adapters (the two boards closest to the top-right of the photo in this listing (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-8pcs-100-original-Adapters-TL866-Universal-Programmer-TSOP32-TSOP40-TSOP48-SOP44-SOP56-Sockets-TL866A/1669111460.html)), it looks like there's more to it than just knowing the pinouts.

Hi I use this adapter please see the attachments pics my programmer is tl866a.Thanks

The Solution is on the second Picture, the Bottom of the SOP-Adapter.Look at the lower left corner, there is one wire which ends without any connection. This is A15, so one Adressline is floating.

Hello everyone. I'm new here but I have followed with great interest the forum. I bought the adapter for 29F200 and TL866CS. It happens every time I try to read the 29F200 always gives different checksums. The adapter is the same as the image, with the track not connected. Does anyone know what the pin where it is soldered? Thanks in advance.

I just purchased the TL866A. I would like to program the ST M27C1000-15F1 but cannot find it on the list of supported devices. Is there an alternative IC that I can choose from the list that will allow me to program the M27C1000 or would this be a case of requesting to have it added?

I am new to this blog. I have purchased Minipro TL866CS universal programmer recently. It includes installation CD . But the user guide and help menu are in Chines only. My contact with supplier has not yielded any result. The autoelectric web page is also in Chines and I could not make out any thing from there.

Can any body suggest me from where I can get the English version of user guide and help menu.

OK, so I had a friend who found it too onerous to read the whole thread for some answers... I suppose that's reasonable so I decided to boil it down. Luckily someone was already hosting a wiki (seen earlier in this thread) and I decided to condense my takeaway there. The wiki is minipro.txt.si (http://minipro.txt.si)

I had some account creation trouble and page editing trouble, but the site maintainer helped fix it in an incredibly timely manner (for me at least). I consider it pretty much up to date as of this, page 39 of the thread.

There are things that could be added:

bypassing overcurrent protection (how, and why)more 'compatible' chips added to the list as they are discoveredthings done to use non-compatible chips (pretend it's actually chip XX and up the voltage/change the pinout)listing the chips and their respective programming algorithmshosting the whole firmware and bootloader for the tl866cs/tl866a (may not be needed as I think the updater tool can generate them)deconstruction of the chip pinout/algorithm file (I seem to remember this much earlier in the thread, of putting new chips into the list)an examination of the primitives used on logic chips to design new chip tests/implement new algorithms PC side (I know it'd be slow)

I sorta drifted from 'things to add' to 'things to do' but if anyone thinks it needs updating just do it, that's what wikis are for.

I definitely think it would be fantastic to have the section on unofficially supported chips. My first example would be the ST 27C1000 32-pin DIP which can be programmed if you select ST 27C1001 32-pin DIP but swap pins 2 and 24 :-)

OK, so I had a friend who found it too onerous to read the whole thread for some answers... I suppose that's reasonable so I decided to boil it down. Luckily someone was already hosting a wiki (seen earlier in this thread) and I decided to condense my takeaway there. The wiki is minipro.txt.si (http://minipro.txt.si)

I had some account creation trouble and page editing trouble, but the site maintainer helped fix it in an incredibly timely manner (for me at least). I consider it pretty much up to date as of this, page 39 of the thread.

There are things that could be added:

bypassing overcurrent protection (how, and why)more 'compatible' chips added to the list as they are discoveredthings done to use non-compatible chips (pretend it's actually chip XX and up the voltage/change the pinout)listing the chips and their respective programming algorithmshosting the whole firmware and bootloader for the tl866cs/tl866a (may not be needed as I think the updater tool can generate them)deconstruction of the chip pinout/algorithm file (I seem to remember this much earlier in the thread, of putting new chips into the list)an examination of the primitives used on logic chips to design new chip tests/implement new algorithms PC side (I know it'd be slow)

I sorta drifted from 'things to add' to 'things to do' but if anyone thinks it needs updating just do it, that's what wikis are for.

Evan Allen

Yes sorry for that, looks like an upgrade broke spam protection and it didn't work as advised. I'll set up some more detailed error reporting soon and hopefully people I'll be able to catch these errors fast enough. I also tweaked the spam protection so that it's active only on account creation and doesen't bother people once they have an account.

OKIs any one try to write M35080 I try to read OK i try to write ERROR First 2 row not eraseCan anyone tell me is it posible to do M35080 with TL866????

I got on m35080 strange reaction'sSome of them v3 and v6 after many attempts finally programmed first 2 lines tooBut not for all of my chips

Sent from my Optimus 4X HD using Tapatalk

AHA OKI will try and post resultsThanks

As I'm sure you both know that those chips have the first few bytes increment-only protected. I'm not sure if TL866 even has the functionality to reset them - and even those programmers that have it don't work 100% all the time. But good luck and hope you'll report your findings here :) n

Ok, tonight I found out that a friend's tsop48 adapter was fake. I also found out that I didn't have exact instructions on how to fix it on the wiki, that's updated now. The reverse engineered firmware worked great!

Hello all!I've been lurking here occationally, but nor I thought it was time to write something.

I'm doing some hobbyist work on car related electronics: ECUs, chiptuning etc. Up to now I've been using an Willem Eprom programmer I bought some years ago. It does the job OK, but it connects to the computer using a parallel port, and they are kind of rare on laptops these days. I thought a USB programmer would be more convenient so i got a TL866CS as a budget alternative. Got it of Ebay for US$ 47.68 including a bunch of adapters.

Now, I have been struggling a while trying to read a copy protected tuning chip for a friend. He bought an old Alfa Romeo 155Q4 needing lots of TLC and in the ECU was an unknown tuning chip (eprom). I took on the challenge to try and read the chip to see what has been changed, and possibly trace who did the tuning (some tuners leave a signature in an unused area of the chip).

On older ECUs with eproms in sockets, it's not uncommon that tuners use copy protection boards to make it a little harder for people to steal their intellectual property. There are some companies, like EVC.de (http://EVC.de), who sell such protection boards to tuners. It's basicly a socket with some circuit that mixes up memory data and address data so it can't be read in a normal eprom programmer. (Some pics are attached).One theory I've read is that toggling the Chip Enable and Output Enable pins is the key to get around the copy protection, so I tried reading with an Arduino board where I could control those pins, but I didn't have any success. Another theory is that you need to read the copy protected chip fast to get pass the scrambling, and a eprom programmer is slower than the car ECU.

Anyhow, yesterday I got my TL866CS and just to test it i grabbed the nearest eprom which happened to be the copy protected chip for the 155Q4, and was I surprised when the TL866 somehow got around the copy protection and read the chip just as the ECU would!!! :wtf: Well, not perfect, there was some random bit errors giving e.g. 04h when 84h was expected, but addressing seems to be correct.

Now a question for you experts: My guess is that the bit errors is a timing thing. There isn't much parameters to twist in the MiniPro software, so I wonder if there is any timing difference depending on what type of chip I select? The chip here is an old 27c256 UV-erasable, and there is a load of different 27c types to choose from in the software, but would it make any difference? Is it worth trying all the different 27c types I can find in the MiniPro SW?

Hello all!I've been lurking here occationally, but nor I thought it was time to write something.

I'm doing some hobbyist work on car related electronics: ECUs, chiptuning etc. Up to now I've been using an Willem Eprom programmer I bought some years ago. It does the job OK, but it connects to the computer using a parallel port, and they are kind of rare on laptops these days. I thought a USB programmer would be more convenient so i got a TL866CS as a budget alternative. Got it of Ebay for US$ 47.68 including a bunch of adapters.

Now, I have been struggling a while trying to read a copy protected tuning chip for a friend. He bought an old Alfa Romeo 155Q4 needing lots of TLC and in the ECU was an unknown tuning chip (eprom). I took on the challenge to try and read the chip to see what has been changed, and possibly trace who did the tuning (some tuners leave a signature in an unused area of the chip).

On older ECUs with eproms in sockets, it's not uncommon that tuners use copy protection boards to make it a little harder for people to steal their intellectual property. There are some companies, like EVC.de (http://EVC.de), who sell such protection boards to tuners. It's basicly a socket with some circuit that mixes up memory data and address data so it can't be read in a normal eprom programmer. (Some pics are attached).One theory I've read is that toggling the Chip Enable and Output Enable pins is the key to get around the copy protection, so I tried reading with an Arduino board where I could control those pins, but I didn't have any success. Another theory is that you need to read the copy protected chip fast to get pass the scrambling, and a eprom programmer is slower than the car ECU.

Anyhow, yesterday I got my TL866CS and just to test it i grabbed the nearest eprom which happened to be the copy protected chip for the 155Q4, and was I surprised when the TL866 somehow got around the copy protection and read the chip just as the ECU would!!! :wtf: Well, not perfect, there was some random bit errors giving e.g. 04h when 84h was expected, but addressing seems to be correct.

Now a question for you experts: My guess is that the bit errors is a timing thing. There isn't much parameters to twist in the MiniPro software, so I wonder if there is any timing difference depending on what type of chip I select? The chip here is an old 27c256 UV-erasable, and there is a load of different 27c types to choose from in the software, but would it make any difference? Is it worth trying all the different 27c types I can find in the MiniPro SW?

//RedTop

If you r not hurry you can order from eBay 27sf256 (or find a winbond 27c256 from an old motherboard or VGA card)They are electronically erasable and in boards that I tested are working wellFaster write and erase and supported from tl866

If you r not hurry you can order from eBay 27sf256 (or find a winbond 27c256 from an old motherboard or VGA card)They are electronically erasable and in boards that I tested are working wellFaster write and erase and supported from tl866

Thank you, I'm aware of the EEPROMs compatible to the old 27c series. I have some in my drawer and have successfully used them in some ECUs.

I don't think selecting a different 27* chip would be any good. Somewhere deep in this thread there's nateocean's and radiomans posts about how minipro implements different chips. They're grouped together by protocol and the chip itself supports only a handful of these "protocols" which are then used for all supported chips. Unfortunately I don't have the time to dig it up - and the info has not been yet properly stored in the wiki so I guess you'll have to find radioman's posts by yourself.

Best programmer ive ever owned. I do not miss out on anything...My only small problem is that i miss some very old ICs. Well one could NOT expect to be able to program old PALs and so on...you cant buy the bloddy things any more.

Anyhow, yesterday I got my TL866CS and just to test it i grabbed the nearest eprom which happened to be the copy protected chip for the 155Q4, and was I surprised when the TL866 somehow got around the copy protection and read the chip just as the ECU would!!! :wtf: Well, not perfect, there was some random bit errors giving e.g. 04h when 84h was expected, but addressing seems to be correct.//RedTop

If the ECU is designed to see a "normal" EPROM then the copy protection board will still have to present a "normal" looking EPROM to the ECU and hence also to an EPROM programmer. So I would not expect reading the copy protected EPROM in a programmer to be a problem. Of course I have never tried to. Deciphering the scrambled non standard bit arrangement might be a little more challenging. The first thing I would try is to burn an EPROM with sequences of 00h to FFx and 256 bytes of 00h followed by 256bytes of 01h and so on in the programmer and then try reading it back when mounted on the copy protection board. Compare the two resulting files and see if you can recognise a pattern to provide some clues as to what is going on. I do not expect it to be too sophisticated.

As for the "random" bit errors. Are you saying they are random because you didn't see a pattern, perhaps because you didn't carefully look for one, or that you did look for one and found none? For example are all bitn locked at 0 or at 1. This may suggest a faulty socket connection.

Anyhow, yesterday I got my TL866CS and just to test it i grabbed the nearest eprom which happened to be the copy protected chip for the 155Q4, and was I surprised when the TL866 somehow got around the copy protection and read the chip just as the ECU would!!! :wtf: Well, not perfect, there was some random bit errors giving e.g. 04h when 84h was expected, but addressing seems to be correct.//RedTop

If the ECU is designed to see a "normal" EPROM then the copy protection board will still have to present a "normal" looking EPROM to the ECU and hence also to an EPROM programmer. So I would not expect reading the copy protected EPROM in a programmer to be a problem. Of course I have never tried to. Deciphering the scrambled non standard bit arrangement might be a little more challenging. The first thing I would try is to burn an EPROM with sequences of 00h to FFx and 256 bytes of 00h followed by 256bytes of 01h and so on in the programmer and then try reading it back when mounted on the copy protection board. Compare the two resulting files and see if you can recognise a pattern to provide some clues as to what is going on. I do not expect it to be too sophisticated.

As for the "random" bit errors. Are you saying they are random because you didn't see a pattern, perhaps because you didn't carefully look for one, or that you did look for one and found none? For example are all bitn locked at 0 or at 1. This may suggest a faulty socket connection.

The whole idea with the copy protection boards is that the they are transparent to the ECU but not to an eprom programmer. My old Willem just reads garbage and so does the Arduino board I've been using, but the TL866 seems to behave like an ECU in this case, reading the data unscrambled.

When I say random bit errors I mean that they appear at random addresses. If I read the chip several times I get errors at different addresses. It seems to be the same bit that fails all the times, as the read value differs with 80h.

I did some experimenting with different "VCC verify" and got bit errors on less addresses with higher voltage. I can compare the read with the original eprom dump for this engine, it's just a small part of the content that is changed by the tuner (look up tables a.k.a maps for fuel injection, inigition, turbo pressure etc.). I estimate that I now have less than ten bit errors on the whole chip, and that makes it possible to analyze what the tuner has changed, so it's good enough for me.

OK I again need your help from one old post here""I am Zoran from SERBIAI also buy TL866CS but i did not get PSOP44 adapter and now i need so muchI asking is anybody here have schematic for adapter PSOP44 i have main board V3 TSOP48 SOP44 I just need how to connect 29f400 to read and write.I buy some adapter PSOP44(http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg (http://www.programatory.com/niemcy/data/adapterypl/psop44zifdip44/psop44zifdip44a.jpg))and just need to connect here(http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg (http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/755/826/490/490826755_843.jpg))Thank you"""And i still not buy original board so is anyone have schematic pin out for this board or if someone is not to boring just to looking on his PSOP44 board and just put me here the numbers where go what (like on this picture ) I know this :Board Flash

Hello, i used the tl866cs and see problems, here i give my experience and the turnarround...All is not not contact good pins...

I try to prog a 16F877 old PIC, and it does not work, an other not use the same but on a beeprog (1000€), all is ok.I find the schematic of the tl and find problems.First I see can the pulse clock send by the tl866cs,on RB6/7 to the pic are not all the same,in 16 clock block the first and the last are very shorter than the others, with data.If the time is correct the up time is slow. But it is software and nothing to do.Now for enter to prog, you must apply a 13V+-0.5V on MCLR, the Vpp supply is 12.9, but with R at 5%?,the Vpp value can change from tl866 to other.Just after it is the limiter, and you lost supply, 0.3 by a diode, 0.1 by the Q9 and by R3 of 3 ohms.If the voltage is 0.6V the current limiting and overcurrent go on.But with this lost, you are under 12.5V, at MCLR on, a dip surge can be see. You can no enter in the prog mode.To have a good supply, the soluce is to connect the feedback resistor R8 33K to D8 anode (Q9), cut on C14.Now the supply conpensate the voltage lost of the detector of the limiter, the security is active because Q9 is outside of the feedback. I try also to put a 2,2uF/50V in // on C20.But nothing for the prog of the PIC 16F877!.The next is the better...The pic 18F87J50 in your tl866 control all and must be supply at 3.3V open the tl866, see the 3.3v chip suply regulator..But during read, prog.. you see the supply up at approx 3.6, its normal because when Q8 is off but it is not good for the life of the chip. Why up the supply?.If you read the pic datasheet, you see that on RB6 and 7, the input use schmit trigger and the "one" is at 0.8*Vcc,4V min with 5V supply Vcc.The 18F87J50 is supply with 3.3V, cannot give 4V, but it is more possible with 3.6V...Now you must see shematic: the supply Vcc, with a voltmeter put the power(USB), and with a voltmeter you see Vcc on the pin.Now, select a pic, 16F877 for example, select no check device ID and do a read. The Vcc change and up (may be zero at first time when you connect). I see 5,3V.But it is high, and the signal of 18F87J50 is too low... Bingo it was the problem!!.At first I solder 2 pull up on RB6 and RB7, and bingo I can read, erase and prog the PIC16F877!!.But solder on a chip to program it is bad!!.The soluce is to reduce the Vcc supply.The power UP because Q5 tunr on, and put a 6K8, the soluce is to adjust the value, I put in serie a pot of 4,7K (in resistor).Now at 0, Vcc= 5.3V (not work the same before),but at 4,7V at max (4K7) and for the middle 4,9V it is ok.And now no problemo the prog is ok, and not a contacts problems...

I solve my problem for the PIC 16F877, for the others you can use this story to try to find why, and not to think that it is the contact...

Anyhow, yesterday I got my TL866CS and just to test it i grabbed the nearest eprom which happened to be the copy protected chip for the 155Q4, and was I surprised when the TL866 somehow got around the copy protection and read the chip just as the ECU would!!! :wtf: Well, not perfect, there was some random bit errors giving e.g. 04h when 84h was expected, but addressing seems to be correct.//RedTop

If the ECU is designed to see a "normal" EPROM then the copy protection board will still have to present a "normal" looking EPROM to the ECU and hence also to an EPROM programmer. So I would not expect reading the copy protected EPROM in a programmer to be a problem. Of course I have never tried to. Deciphering the scrambled non standard bit arrangement might be a little more challenging. The first thing I would try is to burn an EPROM with sequences of 00h to FFx and 256 bytes of 00h followed by 256bytes of 01h and so on in the programmer and then try reading it back when mounted on the copy protection board. Compare the two resulting files and see if you can recognise a pattern to provide some clues as to what is going on. I do not expect it to be too sophisticated.

As for the "random" bit errors. Are you saying they are random because you didn't see a pattern, perhaps because you didn't carefully look for one, or that you did look for one and found none? For example are all bitn locked at 0 or at 1. This may suggest a faulty socket connection.

The whole idea with the copy protection boards is that the they are transparent to the ECU but not to an eprom programmer. My old Willem just reads garbage and so does the Arduino board I've been using, but the TL866 seems to behave like an ECU in this case, reading the data unscrambled.

When I say random bit errors I mean that they appear at random addresses. If I read the chip several times I get errors at different addresses. It seems to be the same bit that fails all the times, as the read value differs with 80h.

I did some experimenting with different "VCC verify" and got bit errors on less addresses with higher voltage. I can compare the read with the original eprom dump for this engine, it's just a small part of the content that is changed by the tuner (look up tables a.k.a maps for fuel injection, inigition, turbo pressure etc.). I estimate that I now have less than ten bit errors on the whole chip, and that makes it possible to analyze what the tuner has changed, so it's good enough for me.

I've seen similar, I've usually put it down to a poor connection on a pin, I'd often find something like all 4's were now 7's or something.

Anyway, as far as I know, the encryption boards look out for a sequential read and that's how they spot the difference between a programmer and a processor.Yes, it's going to read the main program code on boot, so it's probably just the calibration area that is set to only allow random bursts and spit out junk if everything is being read out in order.

I've come across a protection board before when an ECU wouldn't reflash, opened it up, and there it was. Reading wasn't an issue at all, so it was a bit pointless.

It's possible the TL866 might read in random bursts by design, but I think that is the key.

hi everybodyi have tl866cs design 2014 transforms to tl866a version with help of radioman tl866 update my problem is i can't program atmega8A via icsp i suppose that latest version of tl866cs has changed or there is other problemsthe icsp connector pins are correcton the software it given me id error or bad contacti incheck devise id and it read it but its show no dataplease helpphoto

I just got around to firmware upgrading my CS to A and it appears to have worked. The problem I have is that when I start the program I get a warning before the program starts to update the firmware. Is this normal after this hack from Radioman that the software gives this warning each start? Any worries?

OK Can someone help me with post #594 I just need someone who have a original adapter PSOP44 just to copy me a wire connectionTHANKS

Hello,

I started measuring, but because I have the socket on the PSOP44 it's not that easy (without breaking the socket) to measure it quickly (and I don't have much time).So here's what I have currently of the left side:Board | Flash16 | 115 | 218 | 317 | 420 | 519 | 622 | 721 | 823 | 1024 | 9

I also took a picture of the bottom side - so you can try to trace them by picture (the ones you posted + mine + some luck.). Sorry but I didn't have more time currently - will try to measure some next time too.

I have some questions regarding older TTL PROM chips. Does anyone here know if the TL866CS will read and burn (clone) an old 16pin 256x4 1024bit 45ns read TTL PROM ( the actual part# is Fairchild 93427 )? This is a ROM chip out of an old super rare 1970's digital/analog synthesizer ( Crumar DS-2 ) that is used for keyboard encoding. I couldn't find any reference that the TL866CS can read or burn a fuse link type PROM that's why I'm asking. If the TL866CS doesn't support older PROMS then what would be a cost effective alternative to easily making a cloned ROM? Thanks in advance for any replies!

No idea about this programmer, but in general you need old stuff to program old stuff :)

The 93427 seems to be the same as the 63S141 http://www.datasheetarchive.com/dlmain/Datasheets-X2/DSA1201000687.pdf (http://www.datasheetarchive.com/dlmain/Datasheets-X2/DSA1201000687.pdf), which you should be able to program with e.g. a HiLo All07 programmer:

Only 256 nibbles, you can do that by hand if it is a one off, using a breadboard, a 555 timer and a regulated power supply and some switches to provide the address lines and sink the current pulses to blow the fuses. Might take an entire day, and you will need to do this in one take. Nice thing is if you need 2 you just do them in parallel.

SeanB, based on this chart showing the 3 ROMS (A1, M1, B1) i want to clone is it possible to breadboard program each ROM with the 4 digit binary info listed or would this be too complicated? The info listed is from a guy in Italy that reversed engineered the synth I'm trying to rebuild. Do you think that the binary info listed on that chart would be what I'd see if I had a PROM reader or is there still some missing info that I'd need in order to program a new PROM with a breadboard, timer and regulated power supply? Thanks!http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54pFzGe9RE/UrA2wgZrR6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/STFke9NfvjU/s640/023.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54pFzGe9RE/UrA2wgZrR6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/STFke9NfvjU/s640/023.JPG)http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBT04-5nbLI/UrA2cG9QftI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CERyJ7XLgWg/s1600/020_crumar_ds_2_scheda_d_to_d.JPG (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBT04-5nbLI/UrA2cG9QftI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CERyJ7XLgWg/s1600/020_crumar_ds_2_scheda_d_to_d.JPG)

I just got around to firmware upgrading my CS to A and it appears to have worked. The problem I have is that when I start the program I get a warning before the program starts to update the firmware. Is this normal after this hack from Radioman that the software gives this warning each start? Any worries?

SeanB, based on this chart showing the 3 ROMS (A1, M1, B1) i want to clone is it possible to breadboard program each ROM with the 4 digit binary info listed or would this be too complicated? The info listed is from a guy in Italy that reversed engineered the synth I'm trying to rebuild. Do you think that the binary info listed on that chart would be what I'd see if I had a PROM reader or is there still some missing info that I'd need in order to program a new PROM with a breadboard, timer and regulated power supply? Thanks!http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54pFzGe9RE/UrA2wgZrR6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/STFke9NfvjU/s640/023.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54pFzGe9RE/UrA2wgZrR6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/STFke9NfvjU/s640/023.JPG)http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBT04-5nbLI/UrA2cG9QftI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CERyJ7XLgWg/s1600/020_crumar_ds_2_scheda_d_to_d.JPG (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBT04-5nbLI/UrA2cG9QftI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CERyJ7XLgWg/s1600/020_crumar_ds_2_scheda_d_to_d.JPG)

Only 44 values to address, and then you blow all 12 outputs once per address.

I just got around to firmware upgrading my CS to A and it appears to have worked. The problem I have is that when I start the program I get a warning before the program starts to update the firmware. Is this normal after this hack from Radioman that the software gives this warning each start? Any worries?

Anyone?

I do not get the warning after upgrading. Are you saying that it updates the firmware each time you start the program? That's weird because an update should not be volatile.

It tells me that the firmware needs to be updated each time I start the software. I have a PM from someone telling me I need to update my software. I will when I return home in 2 days. I am away from home for a family visit.

TL866cs > TL866Athanks Radioman, thanks everyone on this forummine also asked for upgrade after i flashed it , pressed cancel and upgraded from radioman's softwaredidnt have anything for icsp, but programmer is working normaly

Need replacement w25q64fw, MiniPro TL866 Universal Programmer can´t read or program W25Q64FW It´s there any similar to or substitute for this newest SPI TL866CS don´t support W25Q64FW.Best regards ,any help

I just bought a tl866cs and im having trouble writing amd am29f400bb. it seems to read the chips ok but sometimes the read changes reading it a second time. however it always fails to program, ive tried several different chips including new ones, nothing seems to work. the only time it will program sucessfully is if I program a blank chip with a blank file. any help will be much appriciated

I just bought a tl866cs and im having trouble writing amd am29f400bb. it seems to read the chips ok but sometimes the read changes reading it a second time. however it always fails to program, ive tried several different chips including new ones, nothing seems to work. the only time it will program sucessfully is if I program a blank chip with a blank file. any help will be much appriciated

I'm a newbie and would appreciate your help with the miniPro TL866CS that I just recently acquired (App Software Ver 6.00; Firmware Ver 03.2.62). I can read data from pre-programmed EEPROM TI 27C512 but cannot erase it. Neither the option "Erase Before" nor "Erase Chip" is selectable. Many Thanks

I'm a newbie and would appreciate your help with the miniPro TL866CS that I just recently acquired (App Software Ver 6.00; Firmware Ver 03.2.62). I can read data from pre-programmed EEPROM TI 27C512 but cannot erase it. Neither the option "Erase Before" nor "Erase Chip" is selectable. Many Thanks

Are you sure it's an EEPROM? Could be just an EPROM that you have to erase with UV.If it is an EEPROM did you select EEPROM in the software or did you select EPROM?

Thank you for your prompt reply. The TMS 27C512 is an EEPROM without UV window. I also verify in the Menu window "Chip Type" that the device is EEPROM. Of four options on the Menu Bar, only 2 options are highlighted " Programming Chip" and "Multi Prog" the other 2 options "Erase Chip" and "Test" are not selectable. In the options widow, all options are selectable EXCEPT "Erase Before". Please refer to the attached screen shotThanks

27CXXX is an Eprom, 28CXXX will be EEPROM. The 27 series are either One Time Programmable if they are in a plastic package, or have a ceramic package with a quartz glass window for exposure to UV light to erase them. You can erase them by leaving them in direct full sunlight outside for 2 days. Otherwise under a UV lamp for a half hour, or you get special 15 second erasure units that do it really fast, and can give you a massive sunburn from being exposed to it in operation.

OTP units are not erasable ( if you have a high power Xray unit and a hour it will be erased, but that will also damage it) and thus you cannot test it by programming a bit. Only thing you can do is program a bit from a 1 to a 0, not the other way around. Chinese software also can have bugs, showing the wrong device type, though it did detect the correct device and programming voltages from the ID that some can be made to present to the programmer.

I have tried to program on the miniPro TL 866CS a completely UV-erased and Blank verified ST M27512 FI but have failed every time because of " OverCurrent Protection actions External short circuit/IC reverse or damaged". I have checked the MiniPro physically for short and replaced with 4 different and brand new ST M27512 but to no avail. The MiniPro is able to read other pre-programmed ST M27512.I would appreciate your help.

I have tried to program on the miniPro TL 866CS a completely UV-erased and Blank verified ST M27512 FI but have failed every time because of " OverCurrent Protection actions External short circuit/IC reverse or damaged". I have checked the MiniPro physically for short and replaced with 4 different and brand new ST M27512 but to no avail. The MiniPro is able to read other pre-programmed ST M27512.I would appreciate your help.

Just few days back, I programmed 3 pieces of 27c512 with no problem at all. AMD brand I think. But I had to bypass the chip id check. I did try to reprogram a used chip that could be UV erased and checked as blank, but it failed and for that chip it was likely not due to the programmer but was burnt due to a spike on the supply line.

Thank you very much for the reply. I did uncheck the Chip ID option but still failed to burn any of the five brand new ST M27C512 because of OverCurrent Protection. The programmer was able to program successfully ST 27C64 and 27C128.Thanks

Hi everyone!I picked up a TLL866cs, from a company called Sivava. From what I can gather it's a clone/copy of the MiniPro (it even uses the MiniPro USB drivers, and the MiniPro software works perfectly with it). Now I want to upgrade it to TLL866a. I tried to use radiomans software but can't seem to get it to work. I tried installing the 5.9 and then run the program with that update.dat. But it fails trying to flash the firmware. So I'm thinking about flashing the firmware using a cheap ICSP programmer I have laying around. I'm pretty new to this though, and I'm not quite sure how to do this. This is the ICSP programmer I have (never mind the missing PIC16F628A, it's in my Sivava programmer at the moment). :)

Great work ! I've seen this post a few days ago, as I was searching for a programmer, and then ordered this model, which will arrive in a few days.And now, I took the time to read all pages (everybody should read before asking, response is probably there). Wonderfull !Even if I do not really need (at that time) the A version, I will do the upgrade for fun. No risk, I have a Microchip RealIce and a Pickit3 to flash the Pic if something is going wrong.

Greetings, I'm new to the forum; thanks , everyone, for all the information and work!

I need to program several Motorola MCM68766 8kbyte eproms. These are 24-pin DIP packages, very similar to the 2716, except the output enable/input enable/programming pulse all happen on the same pin, which freed up 2 pins for the extra addressing lines.

Does anyone have any idea how I could go about this? I imagine the hardware is fully capable, if only the firmware has the necessary protocol...

Greetings, I'm new to the forum; thanks , everyone, for all the information and work!

I need to program several Motorola MCM68766 8kbyte eproms. These are 24-pin DIP packages, very similar to the 2716, except the output enable/input enable/programming pulse all happen on the same pin, which freed up 2 pins for the extra addressing lines.

Does anyone have any idea how I could go about this? I imagine the hardware is fully capable, if only the firmware has the necessary protocol...

A quick glance at the MCM68766 datasheet, it seems to need 25V VPP but AFAIK the TL866 only manages 21V VPP max.

A quick plug for this programmer: I accidentally inserted a PLCC 32 in reverse orientation into the adapter and then into the programmer :palm:. Over current protection worked like a charm and saved the chip :)

A quick plug for this programmer: I accidentally inserted a PLCC 32 in reverse orientation into the adapter and then into the programmer :palm:. Over current protection worked like a charm and saved the chip :)

I second that. I manage to plug them in wrong a lot (really need to wear my glasses more often...), and the over current protection has saved me everytime.

I just got a TL866CS and I'd like to know how to write a 27C160 eprom with it.Of course the 27C160 is DIP42 and will not fit into the 40pin zif socket but I was hoping I could use bankswitching and devide my file into 2 parts and write them separately.My guess is that when I connect PIN42(A19) on the Eeprom to either GND or VCC to select the bank it might work as long as the device is able to ignore the eeprom's signature and use the correct algorythm to write it...

Does anyone have a schematic or details of the "25 SPI adapter" for the TL-866?They're not wrong - it does fail without it... but I can't find it to buy seperately, or any information on what the IC is on the adapter :(

HiDoes anyone dnow what can be a problem with AT28c256 28dip?here is a screenshot.http://pixs.ru/showimage/Untitledpn_7544377_16810392.png (http://pixs.ru/showimage/Untitledpn_7544377_16810392.png)(http://pixs.ru/showimage/Untitledpn_7544377_16810392.png)I got chips from ebay, can't programm a both of them :(thanks!

Just bought one of these things because I needed to burn a 16V8 GAL chip, and my 80's vintage EPROM burner wouldn't do it.

Software is on one of those annoying mini-CDs, but it installed with no major fuss onto a Win7 laptop. Upon connecting, I was prompted to reflash the firmware, which went just as shown in video.

Got the chip burned just fine. Played around reading and writing a few other types and it seems to be a good solid product. Guess I can put my old Data I/O EPROM programmer on eBay. Certainly takes up less space, and doesn't need a USB/Serial converter and a terminal emulator program to use it, either... :-+

Just bought one of these things because I needed to burn a 16V8 GAL chip, and my 80's vintage EPROM burner wouldn't do it.

Software is on one of those annoying mini-CDs, but it installed with no major fuss onto a Win7 laptop. Upon connecting, I was prompted to reflash the firmware, which went just as shown in video.

Got the chip burned just fine. Played around reading and writing a few other types and it seems to be a good solid product. Guess I can put my old Data I/O EPROM programmer on eBay. Certainly takes up less space, and doesn't need a USB/Serial converter and a terminal emulator program to use it, either... :-+

You can try 27sf256 They are electrically erasable with tl866 and working good73'

Based on Dave's excellent review, I bought the MiniPro TL866A. I was successful programming a 2716 EPROM, an Arduino ATMEGA328, and a 16V8 GAL. But when I attempted to program a 22V10 GAL, I got errors. Consulting the support list, I discovered that my Atmel 22V10 GALs are not there. But the Atmel 16V8 is on the list, hence my success with it. I checked Lattice and found both chips on the list, so I bought some Lattice 22V10's and they worked just fine. My question: Does anyone know how to get in contact with the creators/developers of this programmer? I would like to request that they add the Atmel 22V10. However, their web site is totally Chinese, and although Google Translate works reasonably well, I still cannot find a thread of information about support.

Hi my friends could someone help i have problems on write Atmel 16V8 and AM29f400bt,i can read perfect but i can't write.I do a system check all ok,The adapter sop44 for AM29f400bt is detected on test,i clean the pin.What about more i can do?

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum, although I've been reading through it for quite a while.

I recently purchased this programmer in order to program GAL devices with it, specifically GAL22V10D. Every time I try to program one of these chips it fails to verify. When I tried to fill it whith zeroes I noticed that it skips some rows. I´ve tried it with 3 different devices, always getting this error. I'm very new to programming GAL devices, so I'm not sure whether the programmer is not working properly or if I'm doing something wrong.

I've attached an image of the problem, on the left is what I'm trying to program into the chip, on the center is what I read from the chip and on the right are the configurations I use when burning the program into the chip (sorry for bad use of terminology).

I think you need to switch off the "Encrypt Ch" flag if you want to read back what you wrote.

I'm in the same position as you, recently bought a TL866 and trying to program a GAL22V10D. I get an verify error for bit 32, which would appear to be stuck at a "1". Not sure I'm doing something wrong, or perhaps the TL866 or the GAL is bad.

Let me know if switching of the Encrypt flag makes the difference for you.

I've found that on my programmer the first 32 bits of each row are verified OK and the last 12 bits of each row always read as '1' (try to program a device with all '0', read back and you'll see the pattern). As the 22V10 is programmed in rows of 44 bits this makes some sort of sense.

Not sure if this is an error with the read routine only reading the first 32 bits, or an error with the write routine only writing the first 32 bits. I don't have the time now to check the 22V10 on a breadboard and see if it was programmed OK (and hence the read routine is wrong). Can you check your GAL for okay operation easily?

I just got 2 different types of 27c256 off ebay, from 2 separate sellers, the OTP one time programmable, and the UV erasable types. They both programmed flawlessly in the TL866.

Also just programmed the equivalent 27SF256 MTP flawlessly. Nice many time programmable version from SST, and available on ebay.Data sheet here: http://pdf.dzsc.com/88889/244.pdf (http://pdf.dzsc.com/88889/244.pdf)

I'll ask a question here from my main post connected to this reader, maybe somebody can shed some light.

I cannot read an Intel 28F400 44pin flash with this reader.

The reader is an official MiniPro TL866 with an official TSOP44 V.3 adapter. The adapter has been tested previously on other projects and working.

The reader does not read the Intel chip properly. Every time it reads the chip, it generates a different checksum and it is not possible to write it to the Micron chip as it drops an error.

Currently we are puzzled as to what the cause could be, but I have googled myself numb and haven't become any wiser.

There is a google link to this forum where in the topic discussing the TL866 somebody has said that the adapter is not the right one for reading 28F400 chips. I am not certain how to distinguish as the pictures are very scarce.

This forum linked at the bottom states that one should read and validate each section one by one and only then it can be summarized properly.http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-prom/452800-possible-read-intel-28f400bx.html#post3592927 (http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-prom/452800-possible-read-intel-28f400bx.html#post3592927)

I just got a TL866CS and I'd like to know how to write a 27C160 eprom with it.Of course the 27C160 is DIP42 and will not fit into the 40pin zif socket but I was hoping I could use bankswitching and devide my file into 2 parts and write them separately.My guess is that when I connect PIN42(A19) on the Eeprom to either GND or VCC to select the bank it might work as long as the device is able to ignore the eeprom's signature and use the correct algorythm to write it...

Has anybody done this before?

Ok since sending you a private message about this i have successfully programmed a 27c160 with the programmer..

Basically you need to program it with a 27c4096 which will program a quarter of the chip at a time, so you need to program it 4 times.

You need to wire it up using a breadboard so the pinouts match as they are not pin compatible. Also the 27c160 has two extra pins... (The address lines a18,a19). You need to wire up a header block to select between gnd and vcc for each pin.

I've got some new GAL22V10Ds. If you want to get the JED file to me I'll program one and report back.

Thanks! JED file attached. You could alternatively try to set all fuses to 0 as in the original poster's screenshot.

Bummer ! I got the same results with MiniPro v6.10. The GAL erased, verified, etc, ok but when I filled the buffer with zeroes, the verify failed and a read showed the same ones and zeroes in the device. I also failed to verify the GAL programmed from that JED. I used the same LOCK Bit setting.

The read pic shows the read after the all zeroes programming and the verify error is from the JED.

Yesterday couldn't get my TL866A read an Intel flash, E28F016 S5. Once it reads all FF, sometimes reads garbage etc. Never get it read the ID correctly. Then I removed the IC and the adapter and decided run a self-check. Self-check fails on "GND Testing" stage No 23. All the other tests, including VPP and VCC overcurrent protection tests are OK.

Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Btw, I'm using 6.10 sowftware on a 32-Bit Windows XP and the firmware version is 3.2.63

Disassembled the unit. Separated the two PCB's (I desoldered the LEDs and the two single pins - which BTW one of them was not even soldered at all!). Checked all the SMD resistors. Put to gether the two PCBs and tested. I got two GND test errors!!!

This made me think there might be a problem with the pin headers connecting the two PCBs. Reflowed all the pin header solder joints AND soldered both single pins.

Can somebody explain to me or show me pictures on how exactly to ground C22? Im trying to unbrick my BIOS on my laptop, but when I get everything connected, I get the Overcurrent protection error. There are two chips and it happens to both. They are Winbond 25016CVSIG and Winbond 25032BVSIG. Thanks in advance for any help.

Can somebody explain to me or show me pictures on how exactly to ground C22? Im trying to unbrick my BIOS on my laptop, but when I get everything connected, I get the Overcurrent protection error. There are two chips and it happens to both. They are Winbond 25016CVSIG and Winbond 25032BVSIG. Thanks in advance for any help.

You need a "mystery" adapter for ICSP 25* SPI. I gave up on that and bought a $3 ebay chinese SPI-USB adapter instead, which worked straight away.

Disassembled the unit. Separated the two PCB's (I desoldered the LEDs and the two single pins - which BTW one of them was not even soldered at all!). Checked all the SMD resistors. Put to gether the two PCBs and tested. I got two GND test errors!!!

This made me think there might be a problem with the pin headers connecting the two PCBs. Reflowed all the pin header solder joints AND soldered both single pins.

Bummer ! I got the same results with MiniPro v6.10. The GAL erased, verified, etc, ok but when I filled the buffer with zeroes, the verify failed and a read showed the same ones and zeroes in the device. I also failed to verify the GAL programmed from that JED. I used the same LOCK Bit setting.

I've been comparing Willem program with TL886 and have yet to upgrade more. I tried to find the e-mail http://www.autoelectric.cn/ (http://www.autoelectric.cn/) TL886CS web creator to communicate with them and ask them to add those that use EEPROM 24LCxx enough. If anyone knows, they can post it here.

One question.At this time to record all sorts of memories. Is it advisable or TL886CS Willem?

Really? What's so difficult behind it? Are there other affordable alternatives supporting them and having a similar big spectrum suport degree too? And at similar price range? Maybe I'm asking too much.

I think "we" are asking too much of this programmer ... I have a willem Gq4x and it won't do everything i need, i have the tl866, won't do everything either ...Paid for a pickit 3, an avr dragon for Hv programming, stk500 clone, etc ... the list goes on, my drawer is full of programmers.

Still miss something.

I am checking for a top3100 programmer for what it can do or not do.

There's no "universal" programmer who does it all ...

We use at my job an old chipmaster 6000 "lpt", saved my ass a few times... Searching for an used usb 6000 model for 2 years with no luck, i simply can't pay 500 to 1000$ ???

But buying "this" and "that", eventually i'll have paid that amount to do what i need .... avr, pic's, old xilinx cpld, freescale hc08, lot of eeproms, 8 and 16 bit mcu's, 89c51, motorola hc11 series.

I think "we" are asking too much of this programmer ... I have a willem Gq4x and it won't do everything i need, i have the tl866, won't do everything either ...Paid for a pickit 3, an avr dragon for Hv programming, stk500 clone, etc ... the list goes on, my drawer is full of programmers.....There's no "universal" programmer who does it all ...

+1Same boat. Spent 10s of 1,000s of $$s over the last 20+ yrs. PLUS the several that I had to make MYSELF !!The Universal programmer is just a dream :-)

are the adapters for Willem and TL866 interchangeable? May I use Wille's adapters (I have many!) with TL866, and v/v?Some says "yes" on different sites, some says "no". Confused, but don't want to invest in a new set of adapters for TL866 ONLY.

And another question pls: how may I read PAL16L8ACN chips (yup, those are old) and other PALs with TL866? If TL unable to read those in any means - would someone suggest me the cheap device (no need good one, I have <10 chips to be only read, no writing is required) that will do the trick?

I was wondering if someone tested the linux software on a Raspberry Pi. You can compile it, right ?

Edit: I posted and forgot to ask again to the people who programmed PALs/GALs which software did you use to "compile" ? I remember reading (somewhere once upon a time...) that AMD or Atmel had something for DOS... any ideas ?

Has anyone had any luck using the tl866 with fujitsu flash chips? namely the MBM29DL322TE...

I have been trying for a few days now, finally stuck |O

Its in the supported list, and it reads ok (after re seating a few times until the checksum stays the same), saved to file, but when trying to write to new ic (tried 4 new ones) or even another used ic, it fails at 0x000000 or 0x000001.

Initially it was coming up with overcurrent protection, so I fitted a bypass switch across c22 :-+, so I can switch as necessary.Its an original tl866 on rev 6.16, and original adapters as it comes v3 on check.

Maybe the size, 32M, is the issue?, as I can successfully read/erase/write to a Fujitsu MBM29DL800, so the tsop 48 adapter seems good.

I'm trying to replace the ic with new, as I suspect its causing failure over time, and when reflowed the device works fine for a given amount of time before failing again.

I think "we" are asking too much of this programmer ... I have a willem Gq4x and it won't do everything i need, i have the tl866, won't do everything either ...Paid for a pickit 3, an avr dragon for Hv programming, stk500 clone, etc ... the list goes on, my drawer is full of programmers.

Still miss something.

I am checking for a top3100 programmer for what it can do or not do.

There's no "universal" programmer who does it all ...

We use at my job an old chipmaster 6000 "lpt", saved my ass a few times... Searching for an used usb 6000 model for 2 years with no luck, i simply can't pay 500 to 1000$ ???

But buying "this" and "that", eventually i'll have paid that amount to do what i need .... avr, pic's, old xilinx cpld, freescale hc08, lot of eeproms, 8 and 16 bit mcu's, 89c51, motorola hc11 series.

Hi:

Do you know any website to show you how indentificar which is the original and the fake TL866CS?

I see much buying and TL866CS Willem. Most opt for Willem, records more types of EEPROM that TL866CS.

does anyone know what the "Encrypt Ch" option does when programming GAL16V8 devices?

(http://i57.tinypic.com/206zb7t.jpg)

also anyone else noticed the programmer having troubles with eproms/eeproms/otp devices like W27C512 , 27SF0x0 etc? I can't get it to work reliably when with the same chips work perfect with a GQ-3X ... the following picture shows that problem with a W27C512 eeprom, just look at the code area and you'll notice the difference... not even device ID is correct :-//

(http://i59.tinypic.com/2iqerkw.jpg)

edit: I believe there is something wrong with my unit, no idea what to look to fix it though. It reads wrong IDs on W27C512/AT27C256 , I cannot write any of them without failing .... seems like some ZIF socket in/outputs are busted or something

They are Microchip.com manufacturer, here you can see your link.http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/products/memory/serialEEPROM/home.html (http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/products/memory/serialEEPROM/home.html)

Since one of the devices I wanted to read was not supported, I decided to build a hardware workaround kludge.It actually worked. I think there is probably other devices that are not supported but have close relatives. This could be used in those situations as well.

Procedure To Read AM27S191 (2048X8) PROMS With MiniPro TL866:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. The AM27S191 is a (2048X8) Bipolar PROM.2. There is no direct support on the MiniPro TL866 for the AM27S191 device.3. One of the closest TL866 supported devices is X2816A but it requires rerouting 3 lines.4. Created a 40-pin ZIF adapter that has jumpers that allow each pin to be jumped and feed directly from the TL866 ZIF socket to the adapters ZIF socked. Alternatively the jumper can be removed (opened) to by pass normal feed from the TL866. Then the chip pin can then be routed to a different signal from the TL866 ZIF output.5. The pins on the AM27S191 and X2816A are the same except for four pins (18,19,20,21).Chip P18 P19 P20 P2127S191 G3 G2 ~G1 A10X2816A ~CE A10 ~OE ~WE

REROUTE TABLE:27S191 TO ZIF ..........................P18 P24 (+5V)P19 P24 (+5V)P20 P20 (~OE/~G1) I decided to leave this jumper in since they seemed like the same function.P21 P19 (A10)

1) TL866 v6.10: The DALLAS DS1245Y-120 NVRAM is effectively NOT supported. When using the "supported DS1245Y" IC settings, garbage is read and garbage is written. I know because I did so once. Nasty bug, lost my cal data this way. One should always do plausability checks of the NVRAM content read. ==> Please correctly support this chip (DALLAS DS1245Y-120) ASAP. Thank you. ==> WORKAROUND (home-made adapter required): use IC "AM27F010" and reroute the differing pins. See also: http://www1.tek.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6353AM28F010 (http://www1.tek.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6353AM28F010)

2) TL866 v6.10 and v6.16: A Macronix SPI flash MX25L1605D may be read. When blanked the chip cannot be read from nor written to any more! The chip ID was once "0xC2 20 15" and is "0x00 00 00" after blanking, the TL866 is aborting with "Overcurrent protection.." after the first couple of seconds when programming is tried immediatel after blanking.When waiting some time before reprogramming the MX25L1605D after blanking it, the programming procedure fails at the very last moment. Please see the attached screenshot.

Let me know if there are any questions. I'll be glad to help testing, too.

you have to email http://www.autoelectric.cn (http://www.autoelectric.cn) for added support ... not here

I was satisfied with the tl866, used an Willem GQ4X too when tl866 could not do the job, and an Avr Dragon too.

But since the updates or adding new chips support seems to be slooooow

I have moved to an tnm5000 programmer, way more expensive 500$ but has spi, isp, pdi, jtag, high voltage programming, and a 48 pins socket for my adapters ... but support is fast, they have a request forum, and very frequent updates ...

People are asking more and more support from Autoelectric ... but they are not in the hurry

If i count all the programmers i've bought, the time lost, searching to do this and that and waiting for more support, sending emails, asking upgrades ...

Its worth the 500$

Ditto. I did the same and broke out $500+ for a for a Xeltek programmer. The minipro is great for the price but their support device list is optimistic at best and if you need support...good luck. Get what you paid for.

Personally i would like someone to write an addition to the tl866 firmware that allows for the programming to be handled by the host pc.I.e so all the logic for driving and reading the pins is handled on the pc

As discussed elsewhere this would make programming very slow due to the usb throughput but for the chips that aren't supported a slow, user definable method to program them would be better than nothing. I personally could handle leaving it overnight for the odd unsupported chip.

Two issues though (TL866 v6.10 and v6.16):1) The DALLAS DS1245Y-120 NVRAM is effectively NOT supported. When using the "supported DS1245Y" IC settings, garbage is read and garbage is written. I know because I did so ...[/url]

Perhaps your pins bent and not making good contact? They quite fragile on these NVRAM chips.I had no issues programming DS1245Y and DS1248Y's (https://xdevs.com/article/kei200x-mem/#2002) after update to v6.13 software (6.10 does not support writing these, only TESTRW.

As of people complaining for supported chips. Well, sure those 500$+ programmers don't support anything either, I would not surprise if there are some chips which supported by TL866 are not supported by ones mentioned above. Moral of story: Every tool have it's own use, get them as you need :)

Two issues though (TL866 v6.10 and v6.16):1) The DALLAS DS1245Y-120 NVRAM is effectively NOT supported. When using the "supported DS1245Y" IC settings, garbage is read and garbage is written. I know because I did so ...[/url]

Perhaps your pins bent and not making good contact? They quite fragile on these NVRAM chips.I had no issues programming DS1245Y and DS1248Y's (https://xdevs.com/article/kei200x-mem/#2002) after update to v6.13 software (6.10 does not support writing these, only TESTRW.

As of people complaining for supported chips. Well, sure those 500$+ programmers don't support anything either, I would not surprise if there are some chips which supported by TL866 are not supported by ones mentioned above. Moral of story: Every tool have it's own use, get them as you need :)

Personally i would like someone to write an addition to the tl866 firmware that allows for the programming to be handled by the host pc.I.e so all the logic for driving and reading the pins is handled on the pc

I suspect that this may already be possible with the stock firmware for things like logic gate testing.

Unfortunately, that part of the protocol has not yet been reverse engineered or at least there is no mention of it in the https://github.com/vdudouyt/minipro code.

Perhaps your pins bent and not making good contact? They quite fragile on these NVRAM chips.I had no issues programming DS1245Y and DS1248Y's (https://xdevs.com/article/kei200x-mem/#2002) after update to v6.13 software (6.10 does not support writing these, only TESTRW.

Pins not bent.

Good catch, though: I only tested R/W support for the DS1245Y using the v6.10 software which was _not_ working. I edited my previous post to now reflect this correctly.

You say as of v6.13 support for R/W with DS1245Y would work? Jeeez. That's bad luck, I ruined my DS1245Y data using v6.10 while v6.13 was already available but I failed to check that. Thats.. aarrg..

BTW, what's the point of supporting a chip only TESTRW without the user telling so. That's just hideously awful (tm). As it happened, the user (me, who knows how many more?) thinks everything's alright when it's not. OMG.

have a problem with tl866 A modded im using the latest version 6.13 all tests aok

i cant seem to write to 1001 and 256K eproms however 512K worked 010 works 4096 otp worked

do others get issues or can test and see if im right seems others have 256K chips size errorsperhaps they have stuck in some sort of detect for tamper and disable bits...not sure ill try reverting back to the original

if someone can confirm then ill send them a bug report

i tried the usual things ... current of usb port ... used a workstationtesting all ok another programmer i used to 27C1001's in a willem no probs but my willem has issues with 27C256 chips {missing data line or something so F9 read and not FF}does many types of logic tried another few eproms like 1000's they worked

HiI am new here. I want to know about tl866cs programmer. It,s not like Arduino ide. Thats why i am confuse. I want to know how to write a program in it,s software. Can i write program in c language in other software like Mikro C , Atmel studio , Arduino IDE, ?

HiI am new here. I want to know about tl866cs programmer. It,s not like Arduino ide. Thats why i am confuse. I want to know how to write a program in it,s software. Can i write program in c language in other software like Mikro C , Atmel studio , Arduino IDE, ?

The tl866cs is not a Ide with compiler, its a programmer only. It's used to programme several devices of several brands.You need to use your regular compiler, generatte the HEX and the use the tl866cs to program. Thats it.

Well i updated my tl866cs to 6.17, found out that the tsop48 adapter was now indicating fake :palm: it was working (V8) on firmware versions 5.19, 6.00, on the version 6.10 i didnt bother to check if the tsop48 was working until now im on version 6.17...

I have a question that seems to trouble me.I have purchased the TL866A with the 8 adapters.Im trying to program some PLCC32/LPC chips with no success.First i thought it was the adapter but then I tried to find if the TL866A is supporting LPC/FWH chips but i cannot find any information.

So im trying to program SST 49LF004B ,Atmel AT49LH004, PMC PM49FL004T i dont know if these chips are LPC or normal PLCC32 but with the adapter PLCC32to DIP32 the programmer doesnt read/write them.

My question stands: Is the TL866A supporting LPC/FWH chips and if so with which adapter? (also i bought like a moron an ADP-030 LPC/FWH adapter to find out that is supported only with GQ-3X,GQ-4X programmers)

Hello. I have a problem with TL866A. I have a Macbook Pro with Paralells with before windows 7 and 10 now. A month ago, everything worked properly . Since yesterday, when connected to a USB programmer crashes error "read error code : 31 ! " . Both Windows 7 and 10 problem , but on the other computer is well . I installed anew drivers and different versions of MiniPro . Does anyone know what could be the problem and how to solve it ? Sorry for my English, I explained that google translator .

Hi.I'm trying to flash the firmware of a remote control transmitter that uses an atmega128A, using the icsp port. I followed the guides, but I keep getting an error (second attached picture). This transmitter (a Turnigy 9x) is commonly flashed, but usually with little serial avr programmers without much issue. When trying to flash, the programmer first tries to erase. It goes through this very quickly and reports a success; however, after my many attempts the stock firmware is still there I tried changing the fuse settings as recommended on a board for this particular firmware project, (er9x) to no avail. Frankly, I'm new to programming MCUs, having only used this programmer for EEPROMs before and I'm not fully aware of what all the different fuse settings mean.

Now, I could just buy one of the little programmer boards everyone uses, get avrdude and probably be done with it, but I already have a good programmer, I'd rather learn why it's failing and what all the different settings mean. My nascent interest in electronics as a hobby in general is one of the main reasons I'm interested rc and why got this particular radio. I'm at a loss, any advice regarding what could be wrong, or where do I go from here to troubleshoot?

Does anyone have a schematic or details of the "25 SPI adapter" for the TL-866?They're not wrong - it does fail without it... but I can't find it to buy seperately, or any information on what the IC is on the adapter (http://img04.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i4/21668337/T2yaP1XjxXXXXXXXXX_!!21668337.jpg_620x10000.jpg)

Hi.I'm trying to flash the firmware of a remote control transmitter that uses an atmega128A, using the icsp port. I followed the guides, but I keep getting an error (second attached picture). This transmitter (a Turnigy 9x) is commonly flashed, but usually with little serial avr programmers without much issue. When trying to flash, the programmer first tries to erase. It goes through this very quickly and reports a success; however, after my many attempts the stock firmware is still there I tried changing the fuse settings as recommended on a board for this particular firmware project, (er9x) to no avail. Frankly, I'm new to programming MCUs, having only used this programmer for EEPROMs before and I'm not fully aware of what all the different fuse settings mean.

Now, I could just buy one of the little programmer boards everyone uses, get avrdude and probably be done with it, but I already have a good programmer, I'd rather learn why it's failing and what all the different settings mean. My nascent interest in electronics as a hobby in general is one of the main reasons I'm interested rc and why got this particular radio. I'm at a loss, any advice regarding what could be wrong, or where do I go from here to troubleshoot?

Do you have any indication that the TL866 is actually able to correctly communicate with the atmega128 board, like i.e. can you successfully read out the existing FW and fuses settings?

HiI am new here. I want to know about tl866cs programmer. It,s not like Arduino ide. Thats why i am confuse. I want to know how to write a program in it,s software. Can i write program in c language in other software like Mikro C , Atmel studio , Arduino IDE, ?

hello you can't use other software than minipro, the hardware has been reverse engineered, but not the software.

Do you have any indication that the TL866 is actually able to correctly communicate with the atmega128 board, like i.e. can you successfully read out the existing FW and fuses settings?

When I read it, it reports success, but nothing shows up in the buffer display. It shows all 0s. When I save it, I get a hex file with something, however it looks to have too much repeated bytes and looks nothing like the stock firmware that I downloaded somewhere else. It's also about twice as long (8196 lines vs the real one's 4092). Here's a sample of the firmware I read, from line 1024:

I've checked on the latest 6.17, and i don't see any external pin-out given ??? for an example if you check pic devices, it will show at the end of the device "ISP"you will be able to program thru isp ... but atmega128 nothing ??

Ok, it seems then that they were mislabeled in both the Minipro 128a diagram and all the documents and guides for programming this transmitter that I've seen, hence the confusion on my part. The pads that I'm using, labeled mosi and miso, are connected to pins 2 and 3 respectively on the mcu; so I am using PE0 and PE1.

Ok, it seems then that they were mislabeled in both the Minipro 128a diagram and all the documents and guides for programming this transmitter that I've seen, hence the confusion on my part. The pads that I'm using, labeled mosi and miso, are connected to pins 2 and 3 respectively on the mcu; so I am using PE0 and PE1.

Ugh. Out of all the “13,000” chips supported, of course they couldn’t support paged EPROMs (e.g., Intel 27513). I’m thinking that if I hook up an external MCU to the 27513’s CE, OE, WE and D0/D1 lines and give it external power, I could activate each page and have the TL866 read it as a 27128A.

I can successfully read page 0 by just setting the chip up as a 27128A in the MiniPro software, so I figure switching the pages before reading *should* work, right?

Okay, I'm just plain frustrated with this thing now. I can't program or read this FM1608 FRAM because it doesn't clock the CE line between address changes. Can anyone recommend a better programmer that would handle stuff like FRAMs and paged EPROMs?

Thats why i switched to an tnm5000 (300$) it was a very good programmer, loved the isp, jtag, spi port, but after a month i had no choice to switch to a even more powerful programmer an Dataman 48pro+ a 83,000 + parts ... my most expensive programmer i've bought yet (1000$)

Now i can do jtag, spi, isp devices like tnm5000 but can do much more powerful chips at my job and home.

There's always a catch or something ... the tl866 "13000 parts" is false, if you crosscheck AMD Intel and other brand parts that count is lower ... same thing for other brands of programmers.

Tl866 is good for starters, but it lacks support really fast :( I had fun to begin with it, but frustration and no added chip support updates.

Sorry to tell this, but be aware of the tl866 limitations, mostly the "genuine" bundled adapters who came with it have encrypted eeproms id's.That finally turned me off, when the software updates had rendered 2 of them useless ...

Issues with Atmel 28c16 (KM28c16-150).This is the first time for me using an programmer and I run into a strange issue.I purchased four KM28C16 eeproms to flash a new firmware (replacing old 27c16). I'm able to erase all four KM28C16 but when I try to program them only the even addresses are able to be written to, the odd addresses stay "FF" no matter how often I erase the eeprom. Selftest of the programmer show everything OK.I use the latest version 6.17. I purchased the four KM28c16 together, now I'm confused if this is a tl866 issue or if really all four 28c16 suffer from the same issue and the likelehood of somehting like this :--I also used my rigol to check the A0 address line and I can see that it is changing status during read/write operations.

So, I said screw it and started designing my own programmer based around an MSP430F5529. In one night I went from a blank slate to reading and writing an FM16W08.

Right now, when you attach the MSP430 to a computer, it emulates a mass storage device and shows up as a drive. If you drop a file called write.bin into the root directory and press a button on the Launchpad, it'll burn the BIN file to the connected chip. Pressing the button with no file present will read the chip and create a file called read.bin.

I kind of like this approach and think it would be cool to include a little touch screen for selecting the chip, etc. Having the programmer present itself to the computer as a USB drive means it's pretty much platform agnostic.

So, I said screw it and started designing my own programmer based around an MSP430F5529. In one night I went from a blank slate to reading and writing an FM16W08.

Right now, when you attach the MSP430 to a computer, it emulates a mass storage device and shows up as a drive. If you drop a file called write.bin into the root directory and press a button on the Launchpad, it'll burn the BIN file to the connected chip. Pressing the button with no file present will read the chip and create a file called read.bin.

I kind of like this approach and think it would be cool to include a little touch screen for selecting the chip, etc. Having the programmer present itself to the computer as a USB drive means it's pretty much platform agnostic.

I wonder if anyone has made a config file so as to enable AVRDUDE to use the MiniPro to program AVR's. My question is that AVRDUDE won't talk on the serial port to my STK500. WinXP & MoBo issues.I inadvertently wrote to the m48 signature bits, by loading the Code Memory file to the Data Memory file resulting in a signature of FF FF FF. Data Memory should be renamed EEPROM not Data Memory!The m48 still works, but the OSCCAL & signature bits are done for. Since AVRDUDE can re-write the OSCCAL & signature bits and not the MiniPro software, I'd like to do just that.

They use serial port (or usb to serial for the clone) my clone stk500 had an prolific usb to serial port, i hated that, i've changed the prolific ic to an ftdi one (pin to pin compatible) since prolific with newer windows version is sh%#$.

You should not have any problem ??? The original need an serial port at com1 or com2 not higher.

The clone usb should work too if you have a good usb port. Use the latest avrdude. I use avrdudess, it has a nice gui for avrdude, select USB or usb or the COM port.

Issues with Atmel 28c16 (KM28c16-150).This is the first time for me using an programmer and I run into a strange issue.I purchased four KM28C16 eeproms to flash a new firmware (replacing old 27c16). I'm able to erase all four KM28C16 but when I try to program them only the even addresses are able to be written to, the odd addresses stay "FF" no matter how often I erase the eeprom. Selftest of the programmer show everything OK.I use the latest version 6.17. I purchased the four KM28c16 together, now I'm confused if this is a tl866 issue or if really all four 28c16 suffer from the same issue and the likelehood of somehting like this :--I also used my rigol to check the A0 address line and I can see that it is changing status during read/write operations.

check your pin 21 it is not the same between the two ??? vpp and WE ...

I finally found a version through an obscure link with XPfix.reg in it. That fixed my coms problems. AVRdudess was already tried but without the fix it wouldn't work. I works now, but still the same questions about re-writing the OSCCAL & Sig bits. AVRDude says it can, but clearly in the config file it cannot, as it doesn't have write bits as do the other memory locations. I put the proper syntax in, it says it wrote 3 bytes and then fail. I know it can be done as I have read elsewhere that it was and the bits to do it. The length of bits is incompatible with AVRDude as they were for another programmer. http://www.avrfreaks.net/comment/165751#comment-165751 (http://www.avrfreaks.net/comment/165751#comment-165751) No comprendo. :-//

Also still I ask, is someone working on a config for the MiniPro to work with AVRDude.while(1) :scared:

They use serial port (or usb to serial for the clone) my clone stk500 had an prolific usb to serial port, i hated that, i've changed the prolific ic to an ftdi one (pin to pin compatible) since prolific with newer windows version is sh%#$.You should not have any problem ??? The original need an serial port at com1 or com2 not higher.The clone usb should work too if you have a good usb port. Use the latest avrdude. I use avrdudess, it has a nice gui for avrdude, select USB or usb or the COM port.

I'm sorry but you are wrong. The MiniPro IS a HV programmer in parallel mode. The programmer is not the issue, but the fact that it has no AVRDude interface. Some of the younger folks on here who could easily tap in to the MiniPro's serial data stream and say "Well that was so hard":-DD It would probably be easy for them but hard for me. Also I am trying to write OSCCAL & Signature bytes not fix the fuses.

I'm sorry but you are wrong. The MiniPro IS a HV programmer in parallel mode. The programmer is not the issue, but the fact that it has no AVRDude interface. Some of the younger folks on here who could easily tap in to the MiniPro's serial data stream and say "Well that was so hard":-DD It would probably be easy for them but hard for me. Also I am trying to write OSCCAL & Signature bytes not fix the fuses.

Issues with Atmel 28c16 (KM28c16-150).This is the first time for me using an programmer and I run into a strange issue.I purchased four KM28C16 eeproms to flash a new firmware (replacing old 27c16). I'm able to erase all four KM28C16 but when I try to program them only the even addresses are able to be written to, the odd addresses stay "FF" no matter how often I erase the eeprom. Selftest of the programmer show everything OK.I use the latest version 6.17. I purchased the four KM28c16 together, now I'm confused if this is a tl866 issue or if really all four 28c16 suffer from the same issue and the likelehood of somehting like this :--I also used my rigol to check the A0 address line and I can see that it is changing status during read/write operations.

@coromonadalixThank you very much I will give this a try when I got my new TL866 back, I send the old one back for exchange I know it is a shot in the dark but I keep you posted.By the way I was able to program all four AT28C16 using a small batronix programmer no problem whatsoever so it is definitly the TL866 or the writing algorithm.

check your pin 21 it is not the same between the two ??? vpp and WE ...

That is still wrong as I have already said it is able to do HV programming of AVR's and will correct the fuses if you know what you are doing. I can set fuses to ext clk, 128KHz/8 debug wire etc and still recover it. Prove me wrong.

Quote from: coromonadalix

It is a hv programmer for eeproms / memory chips etc ... not for avr chips, anyway, it did not recover my wrongly settled fuses, avr dragon did ...

If someone can reverse the software or extract files etc ... it would be interesting ....

As i said earlier, im happy now with a more powerful programmer, it is sad they cost so much more :(

How come there are no support for eproms like 27c160/27c322 etc? I use them A LOT and I really need a new programmer.. but its kinda dealbreaker if it doesnt. Althou it can do alot of others but.. hmmor ill just have to make smd to dip pcb adapters. wonder if there are any pinout availible for the ZIP socket if ppl would like to make own adapters?

How come there are no support for eproms like 27c160/27c322 etc? I use them A LOT and I really need a new programmer.. but its kinda dealbreaker if it doesnt. Althou it can do alot of others but.. hmmor ill just have to make smd to dip pcb adapters. wonder if there are any pinout availible for the ZIP socket if ppl would like to make own adapters?

Thanks!

Read my post #693. You can program a 27c160 by modifying the pinout and using a jumper for the extra address pins. (Btw 27c160 will never be directly supported as it has more pins than the programmer supports).

he radioman good afternoon i me very happy for your tools for conversion tl866cs to tl866aTell me how to modify the otp in flash-serial such as winbond 25q32 and why minipro866 can not support mcu megawin ;please send me application for programmer sivana slt 866 because it is a clone of tl 866 AND SUPPORT MCU MEGAWIN have you any idea best regards bmafma

How come there are no support for eproms like 27c160/27c322 etc? I use them A LOT and I really need a new programmer.. but its kinda dealbreaker if it doesnt. Althou it can do alot of others but.. hmmor ill just have to make smd to dip pcb adapters. wonder if there are any pinout availible for the ZIP socket if ppl would like to make own adapters?

Thanks!

Read my post #693. You can program a 27c160 by modifying the pinout and using a jumper for the extra address pins. (Btw 27c160 will never be directly supported as it has more pins than the programmer supports).

Personally i would like someone to write an addition to the tl866 firmware that allows for the programming to be handled by the host pc.I.e so all the logic for driving and reading the pins is handled on the pc

I suspect that this may already be possible with the stock firmware for things like logic gate testing.

Unfortunately, that part of the protocol has not yet been reverse engineered or at least there is no mention of it in the https://github.com/vdudouyt/minipro code.

I haven't posted for a loooong time. Been sick for over a year. :o

That's something I would be very interested in. One of things I use my MiniPro for most often is testing ICs from grab bags or salvaged from dead electronics as part of my electronics hobby.

Does anyone here know if anyone is working on adding new TTL or other IC testing for the MiniPro?

No, but I'm working on an Open Source Tester/Programmer. Since my last post on the subject I've done a ton of work getting a framework in place. Right now it's based on a PSoC 5LP which gives great flexibility in the dynamic pin mapping. In my latest tests, I was able to have it dynamically identify the exact failure mode of a 74LS90.

The nice thing about the way I'm designing this tester/programmer is that the data that describes each logic IC or eprom to be tested or programmed will be stored in a single plaintext file (one for each chip) in a human readable/writeable form. This will allow the user to easily add new chips. The file will be parsed and sent to the unit each time you hit the "Go" button in the software.

No, but I'm working on an Open Source Tester/Programmer. Since my last post on the subject I've done a ton of work getting a framework in place. Right now it's based on a PSoC 5LP which gives great flexibility in the dynamic pin mapping. In my latest tests, I was able to have it dynamically identify the exact failure mode of a 74LS90.

The nice thing about the way I'm designing this tester/programmer is that the data that describes each logic IC or eprom to be tested or programmed will be stored in a single plaintext file (one for each chip) in a human readable/writeable form. This will allow the user to easily add new chips. The file will be parsed and sent to the unit each time you hit the "Go" button in the software.

Sent from my Tablet

Do you have a forum thread about that? Link here it make one, please ;)

If I program an Atmega328P with an Arduino Uno using the IDE to make a sketch - and I program an LCD attached to the Arduino to display 1234 - and then I read the Atmega with a TL866CS and the MiniPro software - I find two entries in the MiniPro software for 1234 - one entry happens to be on line 860 and other is a few lines down at 8F0. If I then use the TL866CS MiniPro software to edit 1234 to make abcd on line 860, the MiniPro software will make the changes on line 860 to show abcd and leave line 8F0 as 1234. All makes sense so far.

If I then move the Atmega back to the Arduino the attached LCD display will show 1234 (apparently reading line 860). Still good.

However, if I then use the Arduino IDE to change the 1234 characters to xxxx (or any 4 characters) and I put the Atmega back into the TL866CS, the MiniPro software will show that both line 860 and line 8F0 have been changed to xxxx.

Question: what is the meaning (reason for) the duplicate entry a few lines down from the initial entry and why does the Arduino programming approach change both lines vs. the TL866CS/MiniPro approach which will change the two lines independently?

Thanks, EF

PS, a question was asked about the TL866 MiniPro software and Windows 10 - they seem to be working fine together with my setup

Issues with Atmel 28c16 (KM28c16-150).This is the first time for me using an programmer and I run into a strange issue.I purchased four KM28C16 eeproms to flash a new firmware (replacing old 27c16). I'm able to erase all four KM28C16 but when I try to program them only the even addresses are able to be written to, the odd addresses stay "FF" no matter how often I erase the eeprom. Selftest of the programmer show everything OK.I use the latest version 6.17. I purchased the four KM28c16 together, now I'm confused if this is a tl866 issue or if really all four 28c16 suffer from the same issue and the likelehood of somehting like this :--I also used my rigol to check the A0 address line and I can see that it is changing status during read/write operations.

@coromonadalixThank you very much I will give this a try when I got my new TL866 back, I send the old one back for exchange I know it is a shot in the dark but I keep you posted.By the way I was able to program all four AT28C16 using a small batronix programmer no problem whatsoever so it is definitly the TL866 or the writing algorithm.

check your pin 21 it is not the same between the two ??? vpp and WE ...

I ended up getting a new TL866 in return for my old one, I also had to purchase an additional couple of AT28C16. This time I actually got real Atmels not the Samsung replacments (KM28C16).Guess what the atmel eeproms could be programmed with the TL866 no Problem, when I used the compatible KM28C16 I got the same error message :palm:Then I used a couple of other 28C16 from the device list and found out the Exel and also AMD "profil" are working fine for the KM28C16 :oSo I guess the first one was ok after all and I would have gotten the same result if I had tried the same thing as I did with the new one. :scared:

By the way is it possible to access the actual programming parameters from the device list and how could new devices be added to the list?

Received my TL866CS the other day, it is now a TL866A - thanks radioman! For anyone making the change that wants to add the 6 pin header check out Digikey part # S9493-NDIt is a perfect fit/match and looks exactly the same as the factory part from what I can see and costs 48 cents.

There is a definite issue with the DS1250 support. I tried programming one (actually, a bq4015, but it's the same thing). Here's what happens:

Anything in the buffer from $00000 to $5ffff is not being written to the chip. Only the data from $60000 onwards is being programmed, and when read back, it's mirrored at $00000, $20000 and $40000.

This means the control of A18 and A17 is somehow messed up.

If I select DS1245 and read back the same chip, the data appears from $00000. I can program the DS1250 as a DS1245 and everything works fine, except of course I can only use 128kB. I haven't tested yet where the data is really on the chip - $00000, $20000, $40000 or $60000.

So they implemented the DS1245 correctly, but somehow to forgot to correctly set A17 and A18 on the larger chips.

To make sure it's not a contact problem, I tried programming an AM29F040B (DIP32), everything works fine there.

I have a TL866A. I've been able to program an Uno with an Arduino IDE, remove the Atmega 328P from the Uno board, put the chip in the TL866A and change the code (simple text) using the MiniPro software, and then put the 328P back in the Uno board and read the revised text in the IDE software on the PC on a LCD attached to the Arduino. (I can't see the revised code in the IDE, but I think that's just a limitation of the IDE - the IDE can upload data to the Atmega but it can't download data from the Atmega into the IDE.)

Question: is it possible to safely/successfully changing a fuse setting on the Atmega using the TL866A? (If yes, any guidance would be good - I'd like to experiment with change the fuse setting on pin 14.) Thanks!

Yes you can change fuse settings using the TL866. Moreover, you don't have to worry about cocking them up like you do with ISP programming (e.g. reprogramming the RESET pin as an IO), because pulling the AVR and putting it in the ZIF socket means it will be parallel programmed.

Yes you can change fuse settings using the TL866. Moreover, you don't have to worry about cocking them up like you do with ISP programming (e.g. reprogramming the RESET pin as an IO), because pulling the AVR and putting it in the ZIF socket means it will be parallel programmed.

Thanks - I will give it a try.- What is the definition/significance of parallel programmed? Thx

Update: tried, but didn't get very far.In the MiniPro software you can search by Hex and ASCII. Problem is - I don't know what I'm searching for (fuse, Fuse, use, etc. don't seem to get any hits in ASCII).

Upon further (keen :)) observation of the MiniPro software I noticed that it has a section called IC Config Information which says:Fuse Low Byte: 0xDEFuse high Byte: 0xDEExtended Fuse Byte: 0xFDLock Bit Byte: 0xCF

What I think I'm looking for is the fuse setting for Pin 14 on the Atmega 328P, and then how to toggle it from what I think is currently off to on. Any thoughts? Thx

PS, any chance there is a way to get the MiniPro help file to display in English?

Update: Oh boy!! Turns out there is a tab called Config hiding next to / behind a couple other tabs called Code Memo and Data Memo. In there is Fuse City! Now I just need to figure out which of the checkboxes is the right one for Pin 14 (which theoretically is going to allow me to probe for frequency). Any suggestions on which one toggles 14? And any safety tips on how to avoid bricking things? Thx

Update: found this:http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-change-fuse-bits-of-AVR-Atmega328p-8bit-mic/step2/Understanding-Fuse-bits-from-datasheet/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-change-fuse-bits-of-AVR-Atmega328p-8bit-mic/step2/Understanding-Fuse-bits-from-datasheet/)(Did anyone mention Google and the Internet are top notch?)•Bit-6 : CKOUT : When set clock pulses are output on PB0 (Pin 14)Looks like it's time to give a Go!Will report back shortly as to whether the Atmega is still happy....

Now I just need to figure out which of the checkboxes is the right one for Pin 14 (which theoretically is going to allow me to probe for frequency). Any suggestions on which one toggles 14?

It's 'CKOUT'.

Quote

And any safety tips on how to avoid bricking things? Thx

You can't brick an AVR so that it won't be programmable in a parallel socket. It's possible to remove the ability for ISP programming, but not parallel programming.I don't know how the program handles fuse bits, though. Are all three buffers ("code mem", "data mem", and "config") erased in the same operation? If you erase the other parts of the chip (code, data) it won't have a bootloader anymore.

After I selected CKOUT and hit program it confirmed a successful write. Then I did a read and it confirmed success + I could go back in the MiniPro search function and see the code as I expected it too look.

Next I moved the Atmega from the TL866A to the Arduino. I probed pin 14 with the scope and sure enough, it displayed 16 MHz (not the 15.9 MHz I had previously seen on the crystal in and out pins. So far, so good - but the LCD display connected to the Uno wasn't showing the text as it had previously, so I tried uploading the sketch with the text to the Uno/LCD; the IDE showed a successful upload, but nothing appeared on the LCD.

Next, I moved the Atmega from the Arduino to the TL866A and removed the checkmark next to CKOUT, and then returned the Atmega to the Arduino. Still no text on the display at that point, but when I uploaded the sketch to from the IDE to the Arduino the text came back to the LCD.

So, mostly good. I was under the impression that turning on CKOUT was just a another way of getting a (more accurate?) frequency read from the Atmega (vs. from pins 9 and 10 next to the crystal). Maybe enabling CKOUT does something else?

One other thing I noticed when I had CKOUT enabled and probed pin 14 is that the signal on the scope exhibited what look alike some jitter. I didn't spend much time playing with it since I was in a hurry to see if I could get the chip re-programmed - so that's all I know so far.

Any idea further insight regarding CKOUT and it's impact on the sketch would be appreciated.

Found this:https://books.google.com/books?id=3GQnCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=atmega+pin+14+ckout+fuse&source=bl&ots=Z5GgbYpHmc&sig=8ZtNg1ABz2UgvNJKypaOQDLe9i8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDYQ6AEwA2oVChMI6_isqKGlyAIVxKCACh1qwAP8#v=onepage&q=atmega%20pin%2014%20ckout%20fuse&f=false

It indicates that CKOUT extends the clock to pin 14 so that whatever clock the AVR is using is enabled to be output on the CHKOUT pin (14). Seems like a handy feature but for some reason it through my program into lala land. I realize this is no longer a TL866A issue (the TL866 is a VERY GOOD product, BTW). I'll move this Q&A over to the Microcontroller and FPGAs forum in case anyone wants to discuss further over there. Thanks for all the good TL866 support!

Anyone found a fix to the GAL22V10D issue ? I updated to 6.17 but that has made no difference. Also, re-installing the first version of the software didn't work as it doesn't seem to like the later firmware in the programmer. Any way to roll everything back ?

Hello everybody i like this site and i just joined your team !.I have a question about the MINI PRO USB TL866CS : Can i test all the IC's ? in particularly Intel P8031 etc..Thank you.

The list available at this link http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MiniProSupportList.txt (http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MiniProSupportList.txt) would suggest not.These devices typically can test (as opposed to program) SRAM and simple CMOS and TTL logic chips. ie Chips where the the outputs respond in a direct way to the inputs as an AND gate does.

To add insult to injury, I had thought about buying a Genius 540 but I don't know that I could rely on that working with the GAL22V10D either. It would also take a while for it to arrive. So, I ordered the connector, etc. and built one of these -

You can imagine my annoyance to find that the GALBLAT.EXE software doesn't run on my 64-bit Windows 10 machine |O As far as I can tell, it runs ok on my 32-bit Windows 8 netbook but that doesn't have a parallel port |O

Not sure if you have tried this supplier:http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-speed-USB-BIOS-Programmer-TL866A-ICSP-SPI-in-circuit-programming-lite-pack-/321495091754?hash=item4ada99ca2a:g:1GMAAOSwxH1T8aEf (http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-speed-USB-BIOS-Programmer-TL866A-ICSP-SPI-in-circuit-programming-lite-pack-/321495091754?hash=item4ada99ca2a:g:1GMAAOSwxH1T8aEf)

sunwenjun offers other kits with various adapters for the 866A and also for the 866CS

ymmv but sunwenjun has consistently answered my messages

I think the product and the support (not much has been needed) have been good

Not sure if you have tried this supplier:http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-speed-USB-BIOS-Programmer-TL866A-ICSP-SPI-in-circuit-programming-lite-pack-/321495091754?hash=item4ada99ca2a:g:1GMAAOSwxH1T8aEf (http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-speed-USB-BIOS-Programmer-TL866A-ICSP-SPI-in-circuit-programming-lite-pack-/321495091754?hash=item4ada99ca2a:g:1GMAAOSwxH1T8aEf)

sunwenjun offers other kits with various adapters for the 866A and also for the 866CS

ymmv but sunwenjun has consistently answered my messages

I think the product and the support (not much has been needed) have been good

Is this a distributor? I don't care, becasue the original company doesn't care about their potential customers.

Anyway, there's the schematics out there. It would be nice to do something based on TL866 and provide source code firmware too, this might be a very interesting collaborative OSHW project :D

I use the TL866cs mainly to reprogram laptop bios chips. It seems to work well with older bios types, but the new ones with Intel Management Engine dont seem to work at all.

For example if I try to flash a new winbond 25Q64FVSIG chip with TL866 the laptop is completely dead and wont even turn on. This only occurs on never model laptops. Any idea why this is happening? Does the ME part of the bios somehow prevent the flashing prodecure from working? I use the default settings when flashing.

I use the TL866cs mainly to reprogram laptop bios chips. It seems to work well with older bios types, but the new ones with Intel Management Engine dont seem to work at all.

For example if I try to flash a new winbond 25Q64FVSIG chip with TL866 the laptop is completely dead and wont even turn on. This only occurs on never model laptops. Any idea why this is happening? Does the ME part of the bios somehow prevent the flashing prodecure from working? I use the default settings when flashing.

do you copy dumped firmware from another bios chip or flash .bin from manufacturers bios upgrade zip? you cant just dump .bin par on empty chiop and expect it to work, intel cpus require their dose of NSA backdoor firmware first!

Anyone found a fix to the GAL22V10D issue ? I updated to 6.17 but that has made no difference. Also, re-installing the first version of the software didn't work as it doesn't seem to like the later firmware in the programmer. Any way to roll everything back ?

I think I have fixed the issue...

I am using a GAL16V8D and tried programming it & got the issue as described earlier in this thread. So what I did was :

1/ Erased the GAL, read it back into code memory & confirmed all bits="1"2/ Loaded into code memory my .JED file (I took screen shots of each page of the program for later checking)3/ In the Options section unchecked the "Erase before" and unchecked the "Verify after" 4/ In the IC Config section unchecked the "Encrypt"5/ Programmed the chip, X5 times; one after the other

And that seems to have fixed it. This afternoon I'll put the GAL onto a bread board and wire it up and check the logic. But to check that my experiment has worked. I started the minipro s/w & programmer from fresh.

1/ Filled the code memory with zeros, 2/ Read in the GAL chip into code memory3/ Compared every page of the code memory with the screen shots of the .JED file I took earlier. EVERYTHING MATCHED4/ Also did the normal minipro Verify option & that passed too.

Maybe X5 programming was more than was required (possibly X3 would work). Could someone else try the above & confirm those steps works for them too?

To add insult to injury, I had thought about buying a Genius 540 but I don't know that I could rely on that working with the GAL22V10D either. It would also take a while for it to arrive. So, I ordered the connector, etc. and built one of these -

You can imagine my annoyance to find that the GALBLAT.EXE software doesn't run on my 64-bit Windows 10 machine |O As far as I can tell, it runs ok on my 32-bit Windows 8 netbook but that doesn't have a parallel port |O

So, really peeved at the moment |O

Why not run that GALBLAT s/w from within DOSBOX running on your 64-bit Windows. But we think that your GAL should program on the miniPro now.

I've had the overcurrent errors when trying to read EEPROM's in circuit with target powered off. In some cases it works when target powered on, but do not connect the +V from the TL866 in that case. Also you may have to disable target CPU before power on e.g. Keithley 2001 you can keep the CPU reset enabled, though on the 2000 & 2015 I found that wasn't enough but instead found removing the PLCC firmware proms did the trick. Other devices I've had no easy option but to desolder the EEPROM.

I just bought my TL866A , however when I try to read my 93c86 the overcurrent protection kicks in .

I've go through this pages and I've read to short the C22 . Can anyone please elaborate on how can I do that ?

Thank you

Are you trying to read the IC in circuit?

Yes, using the test clip. Ive tried so many times in repositioning the test clip but always received this overcurrent error. ( i thought bac connection) I managed to read a few times, but its just luck.

I short the C22 to disable the overcurrent check. Verify by checking on the self device test and it shows fail for overcurrent protection.

Now it can read the 93c86 EEPROM but the hex value is different everytime i clicked on READ .

Hmmmm ... I suspected this due to overcurrent?

Actually more likely undercurrent (assuming you are powering the EEPROM with the target powered off) - you will be trying to power up all the ancillary circuits to the EEPROM from your TL866 which just can't cut it.

Are you using one of those in-circuit 8 pin clips? What you want to do is disable the VCC (tiny piece of tape or paper on the VCC pin - or just cut the wire and solder some jumper pins to reconnect them if needed). Then either rely on the target being powered on or providing an external VCC from a PSU.

If using the target then you may run into problems with the I2C lines being in use by the CPU - so you need to hold reset or some other work around.

I short the C22 to disable the overcurrent check. Verify by checking on the self device test and it shows fail for overcurrent protection.

Now it can read the 93c86 EEPROM but the hex value is different everytime i clicked on READ .

Hmmmm ... I suspected this due to overcurrent?

Actually more likely undercurrent (assuming you are powering the EEPROM with the target powered off) - you will be trying to power up all the ancillary circuits to the EEPROM from your TL866 which just can't cut it.

Are you using one of those in-circuit 8 pin clips? What you want to do is disable the VCC (tiny piece of tape or paper on the VCC pin - or just cut the wire and solder some jumper pins to reconnect them if needed). Then either rely on the target being powered on or providing an external VCC from a PSU.

If using the target then you may run into problems with the I2C lines being in use by the CPU - so you need to hold reset or some other work around.

Thanks for your input .

I followed as what you've suggested .

1. Disable VCC pin (PIN 8 for 93C86)2. Provide power to the target3. Try Read but the hex value will fill with FF

I guessed as what you've mentioned , it can read when the target is powered on .

I'm thinking to :

To supply the power directly to VCC pin ( cut the wire from test clip and connect power in between)

Hi everyone!First I want say a big thanks for all the users which have contribuited for the tool and stuff in this forum (and in particular to @radioman for the updater!) :-+Can someone tell me if the plcc adapter schematics are the same for the willem programmer?In other words can i use the PCB from this site (http://www.mpu51.com/eprom/eprom.html) to build the adapetrs for my tl866?

Ahm you might try using radiomans sw updated/changer on this thread,http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/375/ (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/375/)

follow the instructions, click reflash, if theres no activity disconnect and reconnect the tl866.

Ahm you might try using radiomans sw updated/changer on this thread,http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/375/ (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/375/)

follow the instructions, click reflash, if theres no activity disconnect and reconnect the tl866.

Those instructions alone didn't appear to be enough.... however!!

In the included PDF it talks about a bodge parallel port based method to re-program the PIC. If there's one thing I do have, it's an abundance of PCs with parallel ports.

I have buy Mini pro TL866CS from china to flash bios mainboard PC.But they send to me a FAKE TL866CS. When connected tl866CS to my computer, and setup driver. TL866CS worrking ok. BUT i did click reflash firmware => i has error message.after that my FAKE TL866CS can't connected with my computer.

Well if it is a fake get on to ebay / aliexpress or wherever and demand a refund

So sad |O |O |O |O

Bad firmware update. You can recover simply using another programmer connected to the internal ICSP port in the TL866.If you don'te have any programmer, you can build a very simple parallel port programmer using the guide in the radioman's pdf. Like RetroSwin did above.

Well if it is a fake get on to ebay / aliexpress or wherever and demand a refund

So sad |O |O |O |O

Bad firmware update. You can recover simply using another programmer connected to the internal ICSP port in the TL866.If you don'te have any programmer, you can build a very simple parallel port programmer using the guide in the radioman's pdf. Like RetroSwin did above.

I have bought the TL866CS form an ebay official seller "sunwenjun" so it is probably a genuine one. Plugged it in , updated to the newest software (6.50) + firmware , it works like a charm.But i have a problem writing 29fxxxx 49fxxxx and similar devices some in PLCC32 (using adapter) and some in DIP28, the reading of IC's is OK but i cannot write.I have few new IC's and many old ones , but i could not program anyone of them.If fails with programming error on verify on the first byte that is not an 0xFF one, means that it does not erase the IC as well.Tried to write some PIC16F & PIC18F works OK and 93xx and 25xx DIP8 seems to work fine.Self hardware diagnostics is OK !I need it mainly for 29x 28x 49x 27x EEPROM/FLash.I am returning the item to seller for exchange but please tell me if this can be a product/software issue ?Or has anyone encountered such problems ?

I greet you all and wish you for the great work you have done. I am new to this forum and also new and in the field of programming. in addition I want to say that I am not specialized in this field. IF I ask your help to help me somehow nerves.- I have a TL866. When I bought a few months ago I was TL866CS and I've returned TL866A. everything goes perfect up here. I programmed some EEPROM in the basement of his respective adapter. everything normal, reads, cleans and schedules properly. but the problem I have with ICSP connection. I want to program a atmega644pa without removing the tiles which is dropping. ICSP connects with token token that I have made for the label of the device that has atmega644. I get to read MCU ATMEGA 644pa, it seems tl866a reading program but not really read anything. all of which are FFFFFFFFF. I tried several different MCU ic but without result. responds equally to all. and I try to program it seems like everything is going well but we finally draws error. when I click chek id, does not allow me to do anything after we issue id ic error. then I click no chek owe to id and then do not issue error when read but only when the program. It seems really do not read but after reading all the data that I read are FFFFFFFF. I tried to change my place with the cable cable MISO MOSI, that perhaps I made a mistake in connection with the token that have adapted to the plaque which is dropping circuit, but nothing changes.- Please who can give me a suggestion or a help because I have more problem to overtake successfully TJA. IF you want the photo or detailed explanations, please tell me. enough to reach my goal. with respect to large for you!

I have bought the TL866CS form an ebay official seller "sunwenjun" so it is probably a genuine one. Plugged it in , updated to the newest software (6.50) + firmware , it works like a charm.But i have a problem writing 29fxxxx 49fxxxx and similar devices some in PLCC32 (using adapter) and some in DIP28, the reading of IC's is OK but i cannot write.I have few new IC's and many old ones , but i could not program anyone of them.If fails with programming error on verify on the first byte that is not an 0xFF one, means that it does not erase the IC as well.Tried to write some PIC16F & PIC18F works OK and 93xx and 25xx DIP8 seems to work fine.Self hardware diagnostics is OK !I need it mainly for 29x 28x 49x 27x EEPROM/FLash.I am returning the item to seller for exchange but please tell me if this can be a product/software issue ?Or has anyone encountered such problems ?

Thank you all !

BR,- Artiom.

Exactly the same problem here, did you solve the problem? Already tried two PLCC32 adapters, several USB cables,... don't know what to do. It reads just fine but then fails to erase and write.

I have similar problems with a 29EE010 / 020 etc series. I chose a "gemeric" part that had similar specs, and that worked for me.I have 3-4 other universal programmers, including a very expensive Batronix one, which refuses to program these chips !!emails and bitching got me no-where, which is why I went with TL866 in the end. I don't think I've ever owned a "universal" programmerthat worked all the time on anything, or had good customer feedback - except when I have to make my own !! which I've had to do on many occasions.Batronic was going to release a utility to create / edit your own profiles, but stalled for years. They never told me why.

Are you sure that chip are not fake?I've programmed lots of 29EE010 (PLCC or DIP) and i haven't any problems, sometimes reading\writing faults, specially on PLCC sockets are because of bad pin connection...

I have tried at least 5 29f010b, some from ebay and others from my local eletronics store. Same problem with them all... I'm 90% positive that the problem is the programmer. Is there any way I can test it?

On wich windows you try to connect it ???? maybe the drivers didn't install correctly, maybe you have to override the driver signature .....

Good point.I'd find some generic eprom, flash, e2r etc similar to the one you have and PROVE that ir does in fact actually work -ie 12V - 21V 25V voltages work, CS / WE lines work etcAnd as before, look for similar parts in the library and try those algorithms -

I have tried at least 5 29f010b, some from ebay and others from my local eletronics store. Same problem with them all... I'm 90% positive that the problem is the programmer. Is there any way I can test it?

I have tried at least 5 29f010b, some from ebay and others from my local eletronics store. Same problem with them all... I'm 90% positive that the problem is the programmer. Is there any way I can test it?

I don't Know honestly. On my TL866 works like a charm :\

Likely problem with a very popular programmer is more on the user :-)Mostly I have to select to IGNORE thr chip manufacturter'- ID. Many of my chips do not have the stated ID defined in the TL866.

Well, I'm still trying. It's possible that I'm causing the problem but I'm not sure. ID is not the problem, it's 01 20 on every 29f010 I have. Sector protection is also disabled on all sectors, so it can't be a problem either.

Tried today a SST 49LF002A with the same PLCC32 socket adapter and it worked right. I know it doesn't prove much since the required pins are not the same but...

Have you checked the PLCC32 adaptor pin-pin continuity? Also, have you checked the programming voltage is ok? Find the pin on the data sheet and measure it when writing.

Yes, continuity checks out good in every pin. Also checked with a scope with the probe tip on eeprom legs, got "good" waveforms in every address and data pins with high side around 4volts. But found that Write Enable pin is left HIGH for some reason, from my understanding it should be low during write, maybe it's part of the problem. Any guesses?

I own a TL866CS and for the first time i will need to read and write a ATMEGA its the ATMEGA32A in TQFP-44 package.What would be the best way to do it? I don't think there is a adapter is there?

Thanks!

You need to convert your TL866CS in A version, and then program your atmega via ICSP connection. Note that using this method (via ICSP) you can't programm your device in "parallel programming interface" mode, so you can't program all fuse and, if IRC, you need also an external oscillator.Otherwise you should build an adaper and solder all the needed wires and connect them to the 40 pin programmer zif socket. Atmel... :phew:

Nothing complicated...To convert the tl866 you can use radioman's tool, after that you have to solder the icsp wires and the crystal (don't forget the 22pf condensators) to the atmega and, hopefully the atmega it's not protected, you can dump & write the HEX. With atmel you have to know the fuses because the values are not present in the main HEX.

I'm trying to program some am29f016b chips. It is the 48 pin tsops, I have it on a 40pin board as the 2 pins on each corner are NC.I know that people have had success doing this as I seen in done on a foreign forum. Similiar to this picture, not mine.

Nothing complicated...To convert the tl866 you can use radioman's tool, after that you have to solder the icsp wires and the crystal (don't forget the 22pf condensators) to the atmega and, hopefully the atmega it's not protected, you can dump & write the HEX. With atmel you have to know the fuses because the values are not present in the main HEX.

Please give an explanation about this capacitor named above? because I want the program to reach a atmega644pa and so I do not catch on to do. I drip on board ICSP working ATMEGA. I must add this capacitor ??

First i'm very sorry if my english it's not the best.I'm even don't know very well how atmel works. But i will try to help you...

After you have TL866 "A" version you can do also ICSP programming. Select your device and click in the "set interface" menù "ICSP port" option.After that you can click on the information TAB and you should see the interface schematic. The capacitor that i'm talking should be added in parallel to each pin of the external crystal. 22pf are enough.

You can look at this image to show you what i'm talking about: click me (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfDegZDJm_0/USKgIY1IFjI/AAAAAAAAAKk/rDN5fWu9b3s/s1600/atmega328p_schem2.png)Do you see in the left the two 22pf capacitors?

HI Guys,I need to program this chip https://ghostlyhaks.com/forum/attachment/336 (https://ghostlyhaks.com/forum/attachment/336)Can somebody tell me why this programmer can read but not erase or write??i have desolder the chip and i'm using this clip http://media.digikey.com/Photos/Pomona%20Photos/5250.JPG (http://media.digikey.com/Photos/Pomona%20Photos/5250.JPG)the programmer can read it but thats it.must i do something on the option menu?

HI Guys,I need to program this chip https://ghostlyhaks.com/forum/attachment/336 (https://ghostlyhaks.com/forum/attachment/336)Can somebody tell me why this programmer can read but not erase or write??i have desolder the chip and i'm using this clip http://media.digikey.com/Photos/Pomona%20Photos/5250.JPG (http://media.digikey.com/Photos/Pomona%20Photos/5250.JPG)the programmer can read it but thats it.must i do something on the option menu?

PLEASE help!!

sorry but there is no 644pa ATMEGA 20MHz oscillator. the device that does not have all oscillator.oscillator should definitely set to be programmed?

Do you have an icsp port on that board?If not, you have to desolder the chip from the borard and solder the six icsp wires plus the external osc.I'm sorry but i can help you more... Maybe without the ext osc you can program the chip the same, but i'm pretty sure you can't set some fuses :-//

Do you have an icsp port on that board?If not, you have to desolder the chip from the borard and solder the six icsp wires plus the external osc.I'm sorry but i can help you more... Maybe without the ext osc you can program the chip the same, but i'm pretty sure you can't set some fuses :-//

I made everything okay. I checked several times. but my TL866A issued the same defect. IF unplug id button read, it seems like you are reading but not really read anything. All data are FFFFFFFFF ....... I do not understand where my problem. Is my system a 32bit Windows7

I'm sorry, but i have any other ideas...I don't think it's a system problem, i think the problem it's in the TL866. Can you test the icsp programming with other devices like PIC mcu?

Thank you anyway for more trouble you did to help me. and I believe that the problem have only ICSP connection. while various EEPROM in the basement of tl866 I programmed several times and everything is ok. the right to say more necessary for my work I MCU programming, anyway, will owe to buy any other programmer. :popcorn:

Wondering if I may need to convert to TL866A ??? I am trying to ID a PLCC44 chip that has had the top numbers burnished off by the manufacturer! :palm:

I am guessing it's an Atmel MCU, AT89C51 or the likes, but so far the TL866CS cannot deal with the Chip ID box checked during READ. Any help would be greatly appreciated. the chip was getting a Firmware update in-circuit, it went through the routine, and gave a checksum error at the end! I do have another chip I could capture the code off of, if I could correctly ID this.

Made a little headway... I can read the device using Philips/Intel/NXP device 87C52 (C54) (C58). If I save it to a HEX file, and then try to program the device I get an error (can't write it). :wtf:The Atmel parts listed are only AT prefixed, and the Atmel 87C52 series start with T. Not sure why those are not listed. I'm still betting it's an Atmel device by the looks of the Lot code / Date code that is still on the IC, compared to what I see in Google search images of Atmel PLCC44 devices. Pretty sure this is not an OTP part, since there is a rs232 port and programming switch on the chassis.

but... maybe it is a OTP part. Those are a much cheaper solution for the Mfg'r, but they screwed the end user if they made that decision before they shipped this product. :-- Will find out soon enough.

OTP memories are based on EPROM technology, and displaced earlier (1970s) bipolar and antifuse PROMs. All OTP is, is an EPROM device in a plastic package. So OTP parts exist in the same series and datasheets as EPROM parts, with a different suffix.OTP parts are NOT alternatives to EEPROM parts, that is a completely different technology.

Has anyone found a solution for programming Lattice GAL22V10B chips? I tried version 6.5 of the MiniPro software and it still incorrectly handles this chips, with the verify error at address 32.

I've heard the old Genius 540 from Stager works correctly, so I'm assuming the newer VS4000 from them also works, but there hasn't been a software update for the new line since early 2014 so that's not encouraging for future support (Win10, etc.).

Has anyone found a solution for programming Lattice GAL22V10B chips? I tried version 6.5 of the MiniPro software and it still incorrectly handles this chips, with the verify error at address 32.

I've heard the old Genius 540 from Stager works correctly, so I'm assuming the newer VS4000 from them also works, but there hasn't been a software update for the new line since early 2014 so that's not encouraging for future support (Win10, etc.).

OTP memories are based on EPROM technology, and displaced earlier (1970s) bipolar and antifuse PROMs. All OTP is, is an EPROM device in a plastic package. So OTP parts exist in the same series and datasheets as EPROM parts, with a different suffix.OTP parts are NOT alternatives to EEPROM parts, that is a completely different technology.

Hmm... So if I took a dremel to the face of my PLCC32 ROMs exposing the die, I could then erase them and reprogram? I think this is worthy of experiment :-+

You might have to go up to Ian and leave them in his new Xray machine for a few weeks of gentle soft radiation to knock those pesky electrons back into the ground state. You do get a flash eraser, wonder just how opaque that package actually is, enough light and it might allow enough through for erasure, though it might also be enough to burn the epoxy off.

Has anyone found a solution for programming Lattice GAL22V10B chips? I tried version 6.5 of the MiniPro software and it still incorrectly handles this chips, with the verify error at address 32.

I've heard the old Genius 540 from Stager works correctly, so I'm assuming the newer VS4000 from them also works, but there hasn't been a software update for the new line since early 2014 so that's not encouraging for future support (Win10, etc.).

Why you don't contact autoelectric?Mail address is [email protected] (It works, they answered me)Wrote them in english and chinese (use google translate, there's no problem)

Never heard back from autoelectric via email. Ended up ordering the VS4000 for $45 during the last sale on Aliexpress. Showed up today and I can confirm is worked fine programming the Lattice GAL22V10B's that failed in my TL866CS.

while I have a question that maybe you look stupid, or is the same in programming with ATMEGA644PA ATMEGA644PV? TL866A programmer ask because this has not in the list ATMEGA644PV. I tried to read the command atmega644pv PA and the perfect read. but we exhale programming error and now does not read all the ATMEGA 644pv ID. issued 00 00 00. a rise in this region ATMEGA 644pv or dies? can I program with this programmer when we did not list atmega644pv? Next programmer or should I wait or perhaps update this program can enter and ATMEGA 644pv. Thank you to everyone for the contribution you give!

OTP memories are based on EPROM technology, and displaced earlier (1970s) bipolar and antifuse PROMs. All OTP is, is an EPROM device in a plastic package. So OTP parts exist in the same series and datasheets as EPROM parts, with a different suffix.OTP parts are NOT alternatives to EEPROM parts, that is a completely different technology.

Hmm... So if I took a dremel to the face of my PLCC32 ROMs exposing the die, I could then erase them and reprogram? I think this is worthy of experiment :-+

I'm trying to write to a 29L3211MC by Macronix. The minipro software doesn't list that IC at all.

Even Macronix (http://www.macronix.com) doesn't list that IC at all. My bet is that it's too old (ca 2001) to be worth supporting. If it's any consolation, I have a SOFI SP16 (http://sofi-tech.com/English/) programmer that doesn't list it either.

Apparently there are counterfeit units for sale on Aliexpress that self destruct when you use the latest software from Autoelectric's site. It came with a link to some strange site on a sticker in the box which I didn't use. First suspicion that it was fake.

They look real in every way. Come in the same box, even the board inside looks the same as the one Dave showed in the blog. One small difference, there was no sticker on the the bottom of the unit.

I got mine and installed the software. It connected and asked to upgrade the firmware. Upgraded and it gave an error then said

"This programmer is a piracy! the illegal codes have been deleted! Please use genuine products, then reinstall the programmer's software." Chinglish translation. This is a counterfeit unit and therefore we have deleted the firmware. Screw you don't buy fake programmers.

It bricked my programmer and I had only had it 3 minutes. After a bit of a hassle I fixed it. Details are in this post http://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/minipro-tl866-firmware-upgraded-and-broken-fake-device/ (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/minipro-tl866-firmware-upgraded-and-broken-fake-device/)

Aliexpress is surprisingly good when it comes to counterfeits - report it and you will get your money back without sending back bad product.Plenty of people play a game of buy 128GB pendrive, receive 4GB one for free.

Apparently there are counterfeit units for sale on Aliexpress that self destruct when you use the latest software from Autoelectric's site. It came with a link to some strange site on a sticker in the box which I didn't use. First suspicion that it was fake. ...

Thanks for sharing your findings! I just checked my device, it has a silver sticker at the bottom. Seems like I'm safe. Good luck receiving your refund!

Is it really a counterfeit or a false positive? If the actual PCBs are the same - with bread and butter PIC and jelly bean stuff - and you managed to recover the unit with a parallel programming cable - does it now work with the latest firmwares?

I know the higher pin count accessories for the TL866 are perhaps more closely guarded secrets, but the base unit?

I'm just off to upgrade my firmware and see if it bricks now, because I got my 866 + a pile of bits for a very cheap price, so it must be fake... Of course I did the CS to A upgrade too :-//

Is it really a counterfeit or a false positive? If the actual PCBs are the same - with bread and butter PIC and jelly bean stuff - and you managed to recover the unit with a parallel programming cable - does it now work with the latest firmwares?

I know the higher pin count accessories for the TL866 are perhaps more closely guarded secrets, but the base unit?

I'm just off to upgrade my firmware and see if it bricks now, because I got my 866 + a pile of bits for a very cheap price, so it must be fake... Of course I did the CS to A upgrade too :-//

I suspect cloner loaded all units with one firmware containing same serial number, autoelectric discovered fakes and blacklisted that particular sn

I had a look at my PCBs and had a laugh that the cloner is even more fastidious at hiding the top secret PIC than Autoelectric. It looks like they have lasered the marking off vs mine which appears to be scrubbed using a rotary tool. A quick look and the only other difference I see is the "XG Design 2003" text is 2004 on mine.

I had a look at the dodgy firmware at http://pan.baidu.com/s/1c1cHPeg (http://pan.baidu.com/s/1c1cHPeg) and did a diff on the files. It appears to be version 6.10, the differences being:

All the images in the img folder have been doctored to remove "FOR TL866 PROGRAMMER" and the AUTOELECTRIC logos and website references.There are some small patched binary changes to MiniPro.exe. config.dat appears to be set to a different default device, and language.dat is present and default to Chinese. No sign of anything malware. The patch to the MiniPro.exe appears to be to disable the Help, About and Upgrade menu options. Also the MiniProHelp.chm has not been provided. Both of these of course contain references to Autoelectric.

Mike, when you recovered the dodgy TL866 using radiomanV's tools have you got it working with the official 6.50 version? Perhaps by changing the serial number? Of course upgrading it to an A too ;)

I had a look at my PCBs and had a laugh that the cloner is even more fastidious at hiding the top secret PIC than Autoelectric. It looks like they have lasered the marking off vs mine which appears to be scrubbed using a rotary tool. A quick look and the only other difference I see is the "XG Design 2003" text is 2004 on mine.

I had a look at the dodgy firmware at http://pan.baidu.com/s/1c1cHPeg (http://pan.baidu.com/s/1c1cHPeg) and did a diff on the files. It appears to be version 6.10, the differences being:

All the images in the img folder have been doctored to remove "FOR TL866 PROGRAMMER" and the AUTOELECTRIC logos and website references.There are some small patched binary changes to MiniPro.exe. config.dat appears to be set to a different default device, and language.dat is present and default to Chinese. No sign of anything malware. The patch to the MiniPro.exe appears to be to disable the Help, About and Upgrade menu options. Also the MiniProHelp.chm has not been provided. Both of these of course contain references to Autoelectric.

Mike, when you recovered the dodgy TL866 using Radioman's tools have you got it working with the official 6.50 version Perhaps by changing the serial number? Of course upgrading it to an A too ;)

Yes I got it working with Radioman's tools he made and it is now working with the official 6.5v of the software. Upgraded it to A version too but haven't bought a header yet for ICSP yet. There was no serial number because Autoelectric's software deleted the firmware from the device and the serial is in the firmware. I used the random serial function on Radioman's software.

I noticed with the official MiniPro application that the only provided help files are in Chinese even if you choose the English language option. Somebody went to the effort of running the HTML Help .chm file through google translate and recompiling it, so at least a Chinglish version is available. See here on AtariAge (http://atariage.com/forums/blog/567/entry-12391-making-ones-own-cartridges-updated-03192016/)

An annoying security thing with .chm files on recent Windows versions - You will likely end up with the index in the left pane and an empty right pane when viewing it. To fix this you have to go to the .chm file in explorer, right click, properties and click the Unblock checkbox. This one catches out so many people, including many of those in the AtariAge thread :-+

There's another one on MHHAUTO forums that someone has even went to the trouble of including English screenshots, but the text formatting is kinda crap and I think it's from an earlier version of the help. Not sure which Chinglish translation is the better one.

Now with a cloner, and if the sale stops coming in, this programmer shall be abandoned. And it shall become another brick in my cabinet.

Whole premise of a programmer with logic hidden in a black lasered/grinded over markings box is flawed.Programmer should be open hardware bitbanging platform with high amount of configurable logic level voltage GPIOs + open source application.

if you look at TL866 its just a shift register with a bunch of latches and variable logic level power supply. Thats all there is to it, add USB microcontroller with 8-10 pins to control this mess and hardware is done.

Anyone know why Atmel series AT89Cxx are not listed? Philips, Intel, SST, seem to have equivalent series listed.Thanks in advance!

Well, not quite... the supported chip list does show some AT89C51xxx but I confirmed I have an AT89C51ED1 which is not on the list, and nothing else will program it either. TL866 is unable to do it. Must go to ICS type programming. TL866A??? But then what chip ID to use???

Now with a cloner, and if the sale stops coming in, this programmer shall be abandoned. And it shall become another brick in my cabinet.

Whole premise of a programmer with logic hidden in a black lasered/grinded over markings box is flawed.Programmer should be open hardware bitbanging platform with high amount of configurable logic level voltage GPIOs + open source application.

if you look at TL866 its just a shift register with a bunch of latches and variable logic level power supply. Thats all there is to it, add USB microcontroller with 8-10 pins to control this mess and hardware is done.

So do you want to be a pioneer? There are others like Open Programmer, but lacked a proper community behind it and a complete multiplatform multipurpose IDE behind it.

Now with a cloner, and if the sale stops coming in, this programmer shall be abandoned. And it shall become another brick in my cabinet.

Whole premise of a programmer with logic hidden in a black lasered/grinded over markings box is flawed.Programmer should be open hardware bitbanging platform with high amount of configurable logic level voltage GPIOs + open source application.

if you look at TL866 its just a shift register with a bunch of latches and variable logic level power supply. Thats all there is to it, add USB microcontroller with 8-10 pins to control this mess and hardware is done.

So do you want to be a pioneer? There are others like Open Programmer, but lacked a proper community behind it and a complete multiplatform multipurpose IDE behind it.

Now with a cloner, and if the sale stops coming in, this programmer shall be abandoned. And it shall become another brick in my cabinet.

Whole premise of a programmer with logic hidden in a black lasered/grinded over markings box is flawed.Programmer should be open hardware bitbanging platform with high amount of configurable logic level voltage GPIOs + open source application.

if you look at TL866 its just a shift register with a bunch of latches and variable logic level power supply. Thats all there is to it, add USB microcontroller with 8-10 pins to control this mess and hardware is done.

So do you want to be a pioneer? There are others like Open Programmer, but lacked a proper community behind it and a complete multiplatform multipurpose IDE behind it.

Now the problem I encounter... Reading 29F200 flash memory (sop44)... I'm getting different read every time, also when verifying. Checked adapters and good contact, ID is all good. If I'm reading different flash memory ex 29F400 (tsop48) there's no problem.

Hi I have exact the same problem with autocarg. I tried to read and write many times the flash 29F400BB sop44 but every time with different checksum. Please any help for this problem.Many thanks in advance.

"Base adapter" if I understand you correctly. That's the one with some chips on it (your first picture, left one) is not genuine. Radioman has been working on a solution for that, but I don't know how far he has come with this.

Is far enough! i have an experimental replacement firmware for that Attiny13, and also the first version of Linux version of my firmware updater is ready to be tested here: https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866 (https://github.com/radiomanV/TL866)

There's no do documentation yet on how to compile but i will update the readme file soon. Who want to contribute are welcome. Thanks.

Hi everyone,I was dealing with the same problem yesterday and thanks to Mr. Radioman there is a solution. You have to program the Attiny13 chip on the TSop48 board. Here are the fuses settings:Low:0x75High:0xFeLock:0xFFI am applying the archive with code.bin and config.bin when you load them the fuse settings will be loaded automatically. After that you can load the correct tsop.hex in the chip.After that you will have a working tsop48 board version V3 which is recognized by minipro with the latest 6.50 update. This also applies to the early V0 boards which are recognized as illegal boards if You upgraded from CS version.

So I can only rewrite the 24cxx When I have previously filled with ff ?

There is no erase on these kind of I2C chips.If there were there would have been a seperate I2C command, there is not so the chip will take care of erasing the byte or page it self (automagically) when a write command is received. You can just write over the data as long as the WP pin is disabled, else you can not write anything.So if you can't write, check the datasheet and the WP pin.

You see the M in leftbelow corner? Microchip has produced this chip and indeed it is a 24c02 and here is the datasheet:http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/466355.pdf (http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/466355.pdf)

So pin7 is the WP and should NOT be isolated but connected to Vcc (write protected) or ground (write enabled).If you want to write the chip, pin 7 should be tied to ground, but the programmer should take care of that pin I would think.

You see the M in leftbelow corner? Microchip has produced this chip and indeed it is a 24c02 and here is the datasheet:http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/466355.pdf (http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/466355.pdf)

So pin7 is the WP and should NOT be isolated but connected to Vcc (write protected) or ground (write enabled).If you want to write the chip, pin 7 should be tied to ground, but the programmer should take care of that pin I would think.

Hi Everyone , I bought a TL866CS , trying to write an ST M28f512 PLCC 32 . During writing procedure I get VERIFY ERROR MESSAGES . I read a lot of pages in this thread and some guys suggest to disable over current protection of TL866 cause in some cases like mine helps ! To do that as I read I need to "short C22" on the PCB. I am not an Electronic guy so I am a little bit confused what does it mean to short C22.

Please check the photo I place here and if someone can explain me clear I will appreciate .

I updated my software today and I noticed (it might have been there before) a list of logical devices (74xx, etc) has anyone aware of anyone building an adapter with a test clip on it to try to test DIP package components in-circuit (unpowered)?

You can't test actives in-circuit, they share power supply nodes.Even testing passives in-circuit is pretty limited, it can sometimes work by applying a high enough frequency signal that the trace inductance keeps most of it away from the rest of the circuit.

i have another problem to erase an M25P128 SOP16 also known as M25P28V6.It is a Flash-Chip with 16MB storage.

I use the TL866A with MiniPro V6.50 FW:3.2.72Adapter is a SOP16 to 16DIP.

The curious effect is that i can erase the whole chip until address 0xEFFFFF.At 0xF00000 i can not erase or reprogram the chip.In config WPEN is ON (1) an there is "None Protection" selected. Status reg. Byte is 0x80 "Off-Protection before programming" is set.

I don't now if it is a software bug or a chip failure.Maybe I overlook something important.

It seems I got it working with the win7 Software now. At least a verify worked. The linux software checks for the size of the jedec file and if it's smaller than the max size of the IC content, it returns an error (I think line 410 in main.c).

according to my last post (#923) with the Problem try to erase aM25P128 Flash i have found that this was an Software Bug on V.6.50.(I use the TL866A with MiniPro V6.50 FW:3.2.72)

In order to erase the Chip successfully you must first reprogramm thewhole chip with 0x00. This works. In the next step you can then erase the chip.Now you are able to programm the chip with new content..

eBay seller sunwenjun has a tl866a with a "better" black zif socket for almost the same price of the one with the regular socket.

Has anyone found the black socket to be actually better?I've read here that the black socket is harder to unclip and that may cause excessive pressure to the pcb when doing so many times?Is this accurate ?

The "black ZIF socket" is a clone of an Aries socket, marked "ARTLY". It appears to be a press-fit design which is not soldered in place.Press-fit contacts can be removed from the PCB, but they don't come out easily. They are normally left in place.Why do you think you will be removing the socket from the PCB at all? I can't see any reason for doing that.

The "black ZIF socket" is a clone of an Aries socket, marked "ARTLY". It appears to be a press-fit design which is not soldered in place.Press-fit contacts can be removed from the PCB, but they don't come out easily. They are normally left in place.Why do you think you will be removing the socket from the PCB at all? I can't see any reason for doing that.

Who mentioned removing the socket from the PCB? belzrebuth is concerned about opening and closing the socket when removing and inserting devices to program them.

The "black ZIF socket" is a clone of an Aries socket, marked "ARTLY". It appears to be a press-fit design which is not soldered in place.Press-fit contacts can be removed from the PCB, but they don't come out easily. They are normally left in place.Why do you think you will be removing the socket from the PCB at all? I can't see any reason for doing that.

Who mentioned removing the socket from the PCB? belzrebuth is concerned about opening and closing the socket when removing and inserting devices to program them.

Well duh! You need to learn marketing. Just because a black socket has been sold as "easier insertion" doesn't mean that is for your benefit. Think about it for 1 second.

The green socket is marked "3M". You can speculate as to whether it is or isn't genuine. If it is then that is a well known brand. If it isn't then I doubt there is likely to be any significant difference.

I am inclined to go with the green "3M" marked on because my first thought was the change was for cost saving reasons. Also if you are buying at this end of the market you probably only want something that will work for occasional use.

I am more interested in the claim that it works with Windows 8. IF someone can confirm it works with Windows 8 (and 8.1 and 10) then that would be something. My TOP853 doesn't. I have to keep a WinXP VM around. Not a problem for occasional use.

I was led to believe, by the word "unclip", a procedure of pulling hard on something until it flexes and comes loose, like you would unclip an E-ring. This is something you can do to a component with press-fit contacts. It does not resemble opening and closing a ZIF socket, which takes little or no force.

The "black ZIF socket" is a clone of an Aries socket, marked "ARTLY". It appears to be a press-fit design which is not soldered in place.Press-fit contacts can be removed from the PCB, but they don't come out easily. They are normally left in place.Why do you think you will be removing the socket from the PCB at all? I can't see any reason for doing that.

Who mentioned removing the socket from the PCB? belzrebuth is concerned about opening and closing the socket when removing and inserting devices to program them.

Well duh! You need to learn marketing. Just because a black socket has been sold as "easier insertion" doesn't mean that is for your benefit. Think about it for 1 second.

The green socket is marked "3M". You can speculate as to whether it is or isn't genuine. If it is then that is a well known brand. If it isn't then I doubt there is likely to be any significant difference.

I am inclined to go with the green "3M" marked on because my first thought was the change was for cost saving reasons. Also if you are buying at this end of the market you probably only want something that will work for occasional use.

I am more interested in the claim that it works with Windows 8. IF someone can confirm it works with Windows 8 (and 8.1 and 10) then that would be something. My TOP853 doesn't. I have to keep a WinXP VM around. Not a problem for occasional use.

TL866 MiniPro software totally works with Windows 7 and 10. I never tried it with 8, I was glad to leave that abomination behind with the free upgrade to 10. Ok, I realise I sold my soul for cheap, however I don't think you will have a problem if you persist with running it on '8 (but why?)

There are clone TL866's, - every original I have seen has the green socket. It is possible there are originals with a black socket but if I had a choice I'd go with a green socket just so I had a better chance of getting one that won't brick with the next firmware update. Yes, you can repair it but why go through the ordeal.

The "black ZIF socket" is a clone of an Aries socket, marked "ARTLY". It appears to be a press-fit design which is not soldered in place.Press-fit contacts can be removed from the PCB, but they don't come out easily. They are normally left in place.Why do you think you will be removing the socket from the PCB at all? I can't see any reason for doing that.

I've got a genuine TL866A with an Aries socket (Not ARTLY), it's also removable if I wear the socket out, no idea if it's a genuine Aries socket but it certainly feels/looks like one.I've had this about 3 years now and still works perfectly. I would recommend the removable socket version especially as there is an unknown certainty to the authenticity to any of thesockets the TL866A are fitted with or durability so it makes a swap out later on much easier.

Regarding belzrebuth's post, from what I understand the seller sunwenjun is an "official seller"

So that will be definitely be a genuine TL866A from there regardless of sockets.

Here are some images of my TL866A with an Aries socket.(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j457/thebayuk/EEVblog/20160911_020405_zpsramd2zjc.jpg) (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/thebayuk/media/EEVblog/20160911_020405_zpsramd2zjc.jpg.html)(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j457/thebayuk/EEVblog/20160911_020724_zpsefswx59m.jpg) (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/thebayuk/media/EEVblog/20160911_020724_zpsefswx59m.jpg.html)(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j457/thebayuk/EEVblog/20160911_150740_zpsprbmlezg.jpg) (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/thebayuk/media/EEVblog/20160911_150740_zpsprbmlezg.jpg.html)

When device programmers are used in production, being able to replace the ZIF sockets is a really important feature. Sure, it may take tens of thousands of cycles to wear out the socket, but that's not very much when each product has dozens of chips. The 3M Textool series also can be replaced if the appropriate socket "receptacle" is used.I just don't see something like the MiniPro being used in production; maybe it is?

When device programmers are used in production, being able to replace the ZIF sockets is a really important feature. Sure, it may take tens of thousands of cycles to wear out the socket, but that's not very much when each product has dozens of chips. The 3M Textool series also can be replaced if the appropriate socket "receptacle" is used.I just don't see something like the MiniPro being used in production; maybe it is?

10's of thousands with a genuine socket, no idea with these 3M clones though, also as this is targeted for the hobby market people may be more likely to damage the socket by accident possibly?

When I worded for LG Electronics we had an issue with the production line VGA sockets for calibrating the monitors/tv's as they came up the line, they would wear out VERY quickly. So what we did was stack a few Male To Female gender adapters in there and swapped them as they failed, which gave the original socket a MUCH longer life, especially if we stacked a few in there as you would only replace the worn ones, with 1 adapter you would get X amount of life out of the original socket, with 2 adapters you would get even more. Such a simple and cheap fix.

Hi James, So the programmer recognizes the device ID correctly, right?Are you sure there isn't any problem with ICSP conection? Have you tried reading the device alone (not in circuit) with the ICSP connection? Can you test with another MCU?

You can also try using an external VCC source and disable "ICSP_VCC Enable" in the GUI icsp options...

Hi,I don't think it's a clone, and even if it was that i don't see why the icsp shouldn't work...

You can do another test.Look at image, http://oi65.tinypic.com/acsvn4.jpg (http://oi65.tinypic.com/acsvn4.jpg) and connect the TL866 ZIF socket pin to the corresponding icsp pin of the microPIC. Don't forget the ground, you can use the pin 3 on the ICSP socket you have built.After that, read your pic using the icsp feature...I've tested on my tl866a and it worked, so i'm NOT responsabile for eventual damages on your device, pc or house!

@james101 as i stated clearly in the PM there's no "firmware update to close the hack"! please stop thinking about this; is counterproductive.

As a matter of fact the so called "hack" is not a hack in the true sense, it is a simple method to (re)program the TL866 with the firmware of your choice, even with a custom one, which normally the minipro software does not allow this kind of operation. The minipro software check the programmer type and update it with A firmware for A device and CS firmware for CS device.My firmware updater can do more than this, it can update the CS with A firmware and viceversa. Also for those who bricked their devices it can generate a new firmware, which in fact is nothing more than an new serial code, there's no firmware modification or patch or something else, the firmware running in the device is original, vanilla as is provided by the Autoelectric.

If you used my firmware updater then you have seen that there's a field to browse for a file called "update.dat"; for what do you think i need that file? well that file contains the two versions of the firmware in an encrypted format, which my utility decrypt and send it to the programmer at the user choice.

So please stop thinking about "hacks" and "firmware updates to close hacks" there's nothing about this because simply there's no hack to detect.

Regarding your doubt about your device all i can say is that YOUR DEVICE IS GENUINE, there are counterfeited units on the market, and the autoelectric company discovered this and beginning with minipro version 6.50 introduced a routine to detect these units because all these units were loaded with the same serial code.I have reatached a picture with an counterfeited unit which is clearly a clone. Look closer at that pcb and compare it with any picture of the original pcb (2012/2013/2014 pcb versions) you should see big differences (tip: look at the ground plane first).Thanks @Mikek400 for the picture.

Now how this counterfeit detection works?well when you upgrade the firmware (at the minipro request) then that routine is invoked and if the device is found to be counterfeited then that device is deliberately bricked by overwriting the bootloader.Normally a sane developer/programmer will implement such kind of detection by comparing the device serial code with the bad pirated one and if these two are the same then you can deliberately brick that device.

But no! the developer which implemented the detection routine in V6.50 is sucking big time (because i seen in the dissasembled code what he did! and can't believed my eyes what i have seen); he used the crc32 of the serial code and compared this crc with the crc of the bad counterfeited serial code. Basically instead of comparing two strings he compare two numbers which are crc of a two strings. He never heard about crc collisions? he use crc32 algorithm as an "unique ID" and this sucks! why? because with the minipro V6.50 many good people with genuine devices have bricked their devices! if those people had a lucky serial code to collide with that crappy crc32 detection algorithm then bam! instead of an normal firmware upgrade they got an big brick! but fortunately there's my firmware generator who helped to repair their devices.

And because i know that the minipro developer is reading this thread: MAN YOU SUCK! of course i informed him about this bug and of course he did not responded me. So beware when a new version is out! who knows what a big surprise we have, use my firmware updater to update the firmware, is more safe.Also i have updated my firmware updater to not generate a new firmware to collide with that buggy detection algorithm and also it will tell you if you have a lucky serial number. Use any download link here in this thread to download the new version.

Now on the ICSP not working because "there is a patch to stop my device to work with icsp because radioman hacked my firmware" >:D well, all i can say is that you are in the wrong side of the problem!There are many variables in this issue.I believe you, you have checked and rechecked the connections and are all ok.But i don't understand why you use that enable button software? if you have the A version then it should be available!Also in the PM you said that device ID is readed only when you put your chip in the ZIF socket but not when you read it over ICSP! well this must ring the bell! ding ding! there's no comunnication between the programmer and the target board! and this issue must throw an error with wrong device ID in the minipro software!You have disabled the check device ID option?Also tell us more about target board, all i know is that you have an PIC16F877A and that's all! if its not secret can we have see the schematic diagram of your target board? Can you put an oscilloscope/logic analyzer to the icsp signals? or even an multimeter to check if you have some activity on these lines!Also if you have another pic programmer you can try it.

And when all posibilities are checked then we can move on the programmer side.

@crx the R2 has nothing to do with his problem, that resistor is used as pull-up for the PIC18f87j50 MCLR line, don't have any rolle here.

And btw, welcome me, it's been a while since i posted here.(http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/?action=dlattach;attach=219824;image)

Just got one of these on Amazon from Signstek, it worked with an ATMega328P but I have a couple of questions / factoids

1. It didn't play well with my powered USB 3.0 hub but, after I moved it to a direct-to-motherboard USB 3.0 connection, it worked with no issues.2. MY OS is Windows 10 - 64 bit Pro, it seems to run just fine.3. I downloaded the latest firmware from the manufacturers website but the miniprohelp.chm file that is now installed is in Chinese, I looked at the .chm file on the mini-CD that came in the box and that too is in Chinese, any idea where I can get an English version?4. The fuse bit settings for the ATMega328P show boxes alongside the words 'CKSELn=0' where n is the bit number like this

[ ] CKSEL3=0

So if that box is checked, does that mean that CKSEL3 will be a zero? Or is it the other way around?

4. The fuse bit settings for the ATMega328P show boxes alongside the words 'CKSELn=0' where n is the bit number like this

[ ] CKSEL3=0

So if that box is checked, does that mean that CKSEL3 will be a zero? Or is it the other way around?

Checked=0 this feature is programmedUncheched =1 this feature is not programmedThat "=0" will tell you what happens when you check that option (ie will become 0)Regarding to english .chm i think it was posted here in this thread but i may be wrong.

Hey @radioman what a pleasure to see you here, thank you for all the effort for the project :)About the TL866 programmer, hardware is ok but the program is full of bugs and the support it's non existent.I've found several bugs and reported them, no answer or stupid donkey statement...An example? Looking the 29LV010 algorithm, seems that with some values at addres 0x002, 0x004 and so on the program fails to write the .bin code, but if I select the 29EE010 chip algorithm and I ignore the "check ID" option the TL866 will write perfectly the file.Seems that the problem is with the low voltage algorithm side only. Always same useless response like check the correct chip orientation etc, check the adapter... :horse:Or with some ATMEL, like attiny, seems have a bug on fuses settings...

It's a shame, because it's a really good programmer, but software side it's absolutely rubbish...

P.S.: I see on a russian (or ucraine) forum that some users request new chip support, and seems that the autoelectric dev sometimes accept the request :-//

@Gandalf_Sr: If You want the english (useless XD) help file you can download HERE (http://autoelectric.cn/EN/download/TL866_programmer_manual.rar). It's directly from the official autoelectric download page.

please help me with this problem .I have ProBook 4330s Lock with BIOS - Password. I worked Backup and saved bin in my laptop . After that you extracted the file bin from .exe same model worked in flash with MiniPro TL866, but Laptop does not bootIt is worth mentioning when retrieving old bin a copy reservists laptop back to work what is the solution?

I am unable to do it and i can't now even read it as i protected it even more (first it had only SEC7 bit set as LOCK and i did try put SEC6 as a LOCK and it did yay!) ::)Just that it shouldn't make it unable to read is my problem and weirdness

Anyone has thoughts or able to make a guide what to do?. I wish to read it again without erasing important data.

Everyone tells that 12V feeded to Address line. Does this programmer that and if it does why then not able read?

It is protected for a reason .... if your unlock it, it is supposed to erase the program content.

I tried with more powerful programmer and it did that, unlock it and you're done.

Reading this thread i don't know why people still have high hope for this gimmick, i had one original TL866 in the past, had many failures and frustrations, ditched it for good.

Would be nicer to reverse engineer the software to make it better, since the hardware is now known ...

Had a TNM5000, sold it for a Beeprog+, but i bought back an TNM5000 again, since their price as gone down, and added in their software what i was missing in chip support, they are supportive and welcoming a few ideas or changes/bugs etc...

The TNM5000 are the most friendly programmer around, cheap cost adapters ... unlike my Elnec, but i mostly use the isp jtag outputs ...

It is protected for a reason .... if your unlock it, it is supposed to erase the program content.

I tried with more powerful programmer and it did that, unlock it and you're done.

Reading this thread i don't know why people still have high hope for this gimmick, i had one original TL866 in the past, had many failures and frustrations, ditched it for good.

Would be nicer to reverse engineer the software to make it better, since the hardware is now known ...

Had a TNM5000, sold it for a Beeprog+, but i bought back an TNM5000 again, since their price as gone down, and added in their software what i was missing in chip support, they are supportive and welcoming a few ideas or changes/bugs etc...

The TNM5000 are the most friendly programmer around, cheap cost adapters ... unlike my Elnec, but i mostly use the isp jtag outputs ...

Autoelecric is not.

I thought this chip had only write/programming protection? Not read protection. Which comes up my question now that i did read it earlier and saved.. even though it had that one protection ON i should have full copy of that memory? So i changed protection now so it did erase it first?

For your question because cheap. ;)

But i understand i bought Milwaukee drill and not cheap market unit one because i like buy good at once. :palm: i fail now.

I had this kind of problems with atmega series, it had protection on some devices, never been able to read them, but with an logic analyzer i did manage to read an serial HMI display panel who needed an "acknowledged and present atmega based i/o board", if not there the HMI display would not work at all ???.

You have STC chips, who have encryption once they are programmed you cant read them back ??? they copy designs, put an STC chip bingo they are protected and unreadable, had a lot of them in Chinese and Japan boards ...

There was this project who could have lifted off and be helpful to all of us

Don't get me wrong, the tl866 can be practical and not too expensive with its "official protected" adapters ... it depends of your needs. But people want too much of it ...

I had stk500, usbtiny, Willem GQ4x, Avr Dragon, Pickit 2 and Pickit 3, old Motorolla hc05 and hc11 programmers, Freescale programmers, and the list goes on and on ... but at some point it became clear, that i paid a lot to have incomplete software's or all kind of problems ...

Now i have only 2 programmers who do almost everything i throw at them (Elnec Beeprog+ and TNM5000), and the software support is very good and updates are fast.

Had waited a long time for a Willem GQ5x "Universal" currently they have 2 versions of it and not the combined one i heard they would produce ??? Lot of people are wanting this one ???

It is protected for a reason .... if your unlock it, it is supposed to erase the program content.

I tried with more powerful programmer and it did that, unlock it and you're done.

Reading this thread i don't know why people still have high hope for this gimmick, i had one original TL866 in the past, had many failures and frustrations, ditched it for good.

Would be nicer to reverse engineer the software to make it better, since the hardware is now known ...

Had a TNM5000, sold it for a Beeprog+, but i bought back an TNM5000 again, since their price as gone down, and added in their software what i was missing in chip support, they are supportive and welcoming a few ideas or changes/bugs etc...

The TNM5000 are the most friendly programmer around, cheap cost adapters ... unlike my Elnec, but i mostly use the isp jtag outputs ...

Autoelecric is not.

I thought this chip had only write/programming protection? Not read protection. Which comes up my question now that i did read it earlier and saved.. even though it had that one protection ON i should have full copy of that memory? So i changed protection now so it did erase it first?

For your question because cheap. ;)

But i understand i bought Milwaukee drill and not cheap market unit one because i like buy good at once. :palm: i fail now.

Correct.

What possible reason could one have for putting a memory chip in a permanent unreadable mode?

There's a reason write only memory doesn't get used in many products :-)

It is protected for a reason .... if your unlock it, it is supposed to erase the program content.

I tried with more powerful programmer and it did that, unlock it and you're done.

Reading this thread i don't know why people still have high hope for this gimmick, i had one original TL866 in the past, had many failures and frustrations, ditched it for good.

Would be nicer to reverse engineer the software to make it better, since the hardware is now known ...

Had a TNM5000, sold it for a Beeprog+, but i bought back an TNM5000 again, since their price as gone down, and added in their software what i was missing in chip support, they are supportive and welcoming a few ideas or changes/bugs etc...

The TNM5000 are the most friendly programmer around, cheap cost adapters ... unlike my Elnec, but i mostly use the isp jtag outputs ...

Autoelecric is not.

I thought this chip had only write/programming protection? Not read protection. Which comes up my question now that i did read it earlier and saved.. even though it had that one protection ON i should have full copy of that memory? So i changed protection now so it did erase it first?

For your question because cheap. ;)

But i understand i bought Milwaukee drill and not cheap market unit one because i like buy good at once. :palm: i fail now.

Correct.

What possible reason could one have for putting a memory chip in a permanent unreadable mode?

There's a reason write only memory doesn't get used in many products :-)

Okay thanks. And thanks coromonadalix too on comments. I need get proper chip programmer in future.

Well i just tested that button and bam volvo cluster Flash memory now blank :palm: :-+

Update: I can't reprogram this chip. I had CS version originally. I will check inside device now if those left out parts has impact.. if i have those.. :scared:

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg875434/#msg875434 (http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-411-minipro-tl866-universal-programmer-review/msg875434/#msg875434)jorgemiguel4 had exactly same problem.

Can't program alternatively Winbond W29C011AP EEPROM too.. same thing as it is unable take protection off.AT29C010A works fine... but i can't get it work on my usage as a alternative to AM29F010 chip. :scared:

I order 5 pieces from the same seller:http://www.ebay.de/itm/401024897502?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.de/itm/401024897502?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

Four of the eproms went smooth, while one had a strange behavior. When I wanted to burn the .bin file, then I got the following error:(http://i67.tinypic.com/124y7tj.jpg)

I made a small analyze on the chips:

ID Check/Product Identification:(http://i68.tinypic.com/r1yfrc.jpg)

20 89 = the four working eproms29 83 = the problem child

Note:First number is: manufacturers codeSecond number is: Device code

I don’t understand why the manufacturers code and device code is different from the four working ones. Least not the manufacturers code?

Pictures of the eproms:(http://i63.tinypic.com/25ewx37.jpg)

Left side = not working chip.Right side = Working

It’s not easy to see (Sorry, bad quality camera), but there is 100 % same written on them.

Here comes the strange part:• The working one has a silver colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is round.• The not working chip has a gold colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is square.

I also tried giving the strange eprom 40 min under Eprom eraser, this was without any effect.

• The working one has a silver colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is round.• The not working chip has a gold colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is square.

Same outside package but different semiconductor inside? Production madness? I think you need a µscope to compare properly the two.I hope you bought more ROM chips that what you need.

• The working one has a silver colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is round.• The not working chip has a gold colored circuit around the chip and there is a small knob which is square.

Same outside package but different semiconductor inside? Production madness? I think you need a µscope to compare properly the two.I hope you bought more ROM chips that what you need.

µscope? I don’t have such nice tools here :D

Yeah and especially the different manufacturers code, since the written on the Eprom itself is identical.

I contacted seller and they want more pictures and more information about why one doesn’t work as they need to report the problem to the company.

If you check the side pins, they don't look identical between the two, i suspect a counterfeit chip ???

The chip id is revealing that, i had counterfeit Xilinx xc9572 chip one year ago, since they are obsolete and we use them at my job, we had lots of reject / programming troubles, the hint was the chip id not the same between them ... they were supplied by a china salesman, we did manage to find an Usa supplier, bought a few of them, and after that, we redesigned our products with an Atmel cpld.

If you try to program them without the id check and it wont work, you can suspect that ...

Hi guys, i have a problem, maybe you know how to fix it.I have read eeprom 93c66 witj tl866cs and it not correctly swap bytes, when i'm reading with another tool (xprog) it read in normal sequence.How can i fix it?

the company has release for rt809f extension PEB-1 Expansion board Support IT8586E IT8580E 29/39/49/50 series 32/40 /48 feet BIOS and kb9012 and more updates come for it even read and writ nand flash but slow speed .and there are new release from the same company rt809h bater and faster and stable for eemc and nand but very expensive

Hi everyone. I am new to eprom programmers. I picked up this 866CS version to program some eproms used in Amiga computers and hardware. I have an adapter that allows me to program the 27c400 using the 27c4096 profile and unchecking the ID box in the software. MY problem is using other chips. I am attempting to program a MBM27C1000-200 eprom which is used for the commodore CDTV extended ROM. I believe thats a Fujitsu. Problem is I dont see it in the database. Closest I see is MX27C1000. If I select that one I get an error every time the second it starts to programm, even if I uncheck ID. I have had the same issue with 27C256 chips and a couple others. I have ordered several of these from ebay and other sources and all fail like this. I dont think all of them can be bad?

What am I doing wrong? I have a UV eraser and I have put my chips in for 30 minutes and still no luck.

Wauw I just received 5 chips (AM27C040) from this seller: http://www.ebay.de/itm/171555241796 (http://www.ebay.de/itm/171555241796)

I made a ChipID check on all 5 and it gave me Chip ID 8F08 which is FM27C040 or NM27C040, which means that seller has sold me 5 eproms with a fake name convention as the correct ChipID is "019B". :horse:

I dont know why those sellers dont check their chips before sending them out, but now Í have to open Paypal dispute :palm: :-BROKE

I dont know why those sellers dont check their chips before sending them out, but now Í have to open Paypal dispute :palm: :-BROKE

Maybe AMD started to buy from Fairchild or National? Also, I don't think there is a real difference, why not just use them?

I dont know, but if i try to reprogram the chips as FM27C040 or NM27C040, then I get this error and have to run them through a "Eprom Eraser" for 40 min before they are blank and that sucks!.(http://i.imgur.com/KROb5ln.jpg)

I dont know, but if i try to reprogram the chips as FM27C040 or NM27C040, then I get this error and have to run them through a "Eprom Eraser" for 40 min before they are blank and that sucks!.

Yeah, that sucks. What happens if you try to program them as AMD?

I can give it a shoot.

This is the image/.bin I want to burn: (Firmware OS 1.05 for Akai s-3200xl)https://www.dropbox.com/s/c1pb6zesnm7lbd1/Akai%20s-3200XL%201.05.BIN?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/c1pb6zesnm7lbd1/Akai%20s-3200XL%201.05.BIN?dl=0)

In this case I have to set “Check ID” off, else the MiniPro will reject the programming due to the different ID.

an interesting observation is that the .bin file does not fully fill the chip capacity. Could this be the cause of my error below? Because the programming is ca. 50-60 % in process before this error occurs and the same error recurs, when I’m testing another chip. < Is there an option in MiniPro, which I should be aware of in this case?

The first not FF byte in the file is at 4000, so I guess that programming fails from the start but it is not noticed because an empty eprom contains FF anyway.Does your programmer work at all on other eproms?

The first not FF byte in the file is at 4000, so I guess that programming fails from the start but it is not noticed because an empty eprom contains FF anyway.Does your programmer work at all on other eproms?

Yeah, I have already programmed other eproms without any complications. This is first time I ran into such issues.

Another interesting observation is that the programming did something, as the software conclude "not empty", when I do a blank check after the error.

This means that I’m forced to perform a “eprom erasing” before I can do anything with the chip again.

Another interesting observation is that the programming did something, as the software conclude "not empty", when I do a blank check after the error.

That is strange because it fails to program the first byte that needs to be programmed as far as I can see.Can you find out what address is no longer set to FF?

This is the exact message I get, when I do the ”blank check”. I double-checked the content including ASCII and there is nothing written to the Eprom as everything is “FF” from address 000000 to 07FFF0. (http://i.imgur.com/DPKEjbm.jpg)

Please note, I’m first able to use this eprom again, when I run it through a “Eprom eraser”

I also downloaded a newer firmware OS (Version 2.00) and in this case its opposite where the actual code starts from 000000 to 040000 and everything beyond is empty:https://www.dropbox.com/s/e9gebyy0x6xctvc/S350200.cod?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/e9gebyy0x6xctvc/S350200.cod?dl=0)

So when programming it says it fails on the first (non-FF) byte which stays at FF, but when you do a blank check it shows that it programmed the first correctly... :scared:There must be something wrong in the protocol that the programmer uses, like the chip needs a longer delay between programming and reading back.Some things come to mind:

- If you try to program it twice (without blank check), does it program the first 2 bytes correctly?- Can you disable the verify after each write?- Can you set the delay between write and verify? (I can't recall exactly what can and can't be set)

Interesting, here is someone with exactly the same problem: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/230587-burning-eproms/ (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/230587-burning-eproms/)

So when programming it says it fails on the first (non-FF) byte which stays at FF, but when you do a blank check it shows that it programmed the first correctly... :scared:There must be something wrong in the protocol that the programmer uses, like the chip needs a longer delay between programming and reading back.Some things come to mind:

- If you try to program it twice (without blank check), does it program the first 2 bytes correctly?- Can you disable the verify after each write?- Can you set the delay between write and verify? (I can't recall exactly what can and can't be set)

Interesting, here is someone with exactly the same problem: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/230587-burning-eproms/ (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/230587-burning-eproms/)

Thanks for that link and its exactly the same chip (27C040-150DC) I have.

There is a guy in this topic who mentioned this counterfeit thing. I understand the idea of faking money, but faking a chip? *Facepalm*

UKRetrogamer from this link mentioned the following settings: (according to manufacturer data-sheet)VPP: 12,5 VVCC: 6,25 VPulse delay: 100 us

Below you can see the settings I will test now (you can also now see the available options)(http://i.imgur.com/B22RBgI.jpg)

When I click on program (it did not even start)(http://i.imgur.com/zM5nNSN.jpg)

I sometimes wish, that someone would clean out those topics for junk. It looks like the guy (Topic maker) never managed to get it to work with TL866, but went to a friend. :-BROKE (user didnt mention if that friend was using another Eprom burner or same kind)

Yes, sorry that there was no solution in the other thread, but I found it interesting that it was the same chip. I checked my stock of eproms but unfortunately no 27C040 in there, so I can't test it. Your best bet would be to get some from another source and hope that the programmer will like these better.

hello guys ! I just bought my TL866A :) and im just wondering, I have the TSOP48 ADAPTER. Anyway, my mision is to copy BIGGER NANDS, from TABLET PC OR LED TV, but I cannot find any compatible on the list of the MiniPro V6.50

hello there from greece i have a big problem and i want your knowlegde.... i have 4 sunblade 150 with timekeeps inside to keep the hostid and the mac address. before a few weeks the timekeepers stop working because they run out of battery. i have buy 8 of thems to replace them but when i put them on the sunblade 150 is all 00:00:00:00:00 i have see tha the tl866cs can read this chips, do you know how can i right the mac address that i want. because i have order from a store in usa and paid 400$ for 4 piece to right me the mac address that i want. so now i have 4 new from a company in usa and 8 new from ebay but with zeros on them can i copy them one by one. this is my chip http://www.memoryxsun.com/1006889.html (http://www.memoryxsun.com/1006889.html) its a timekeeper ST M48T59Y-70PC1.... so what should i buy the minipro tl866cs and an eeprom eraser?

hello there from greece i have a big problem and i want your knowlegde.... i have 4 sunblade 150 with timekeeps inside to keep the hostid and the mac address. before a few weeks the timekeepers stop working because they run out of battery. i have buy 8 of thems to replace them but when i put them on the sunblade 150 is all 00:00:00:00:00 i have see tha the tl866cs can read this chips, do you know how can i right the mac address that i want. because i have order from a store in usa and paid 400$ for 4 piece to right me the mac address that i want. so now i have 4 new from a company in usa and 8 new from ebay but with zeros on them can i copy them one by one. this is my chip http://www.memoryxsun.com/1006889.html (http://www.memoryxsun.com/1006889.html) its a timekeeper ST M48T59Y-70PC1.... so what should i buy the minipro tl866cs and an eeprom eraser?

1. I dont think that M48T59Y is compatible with TL866 due to, that you cannot find it, when you search under "ICS" in the Minipro software.2. This is a eeprom, so you erase it electronically. (example with your TL866 if it were compatible) aka you dont need to buy a "eeprom eraser"

I started using but i am having problems flashing windbond W25Q32FV(soic 8) chipsAfter i select it on the software and load the .bin file the program process begin without any problems. At 100% verification the program gives an error. I attach the error image here.The software i am using is the last one that appears on www.autoelectric.cn (http://www.autoelectric.cn), the firmware of the TL866CS is the last one too available and i am running windows 10 64bitsI buy anothers windbond W25Q32FV soic8 chips, i flashed with the same .bin file and the error given by the program its the same. The same happens if i try a different .bin file.I make a system check and no errors have been found, everything is perfect. the same with the 200mil adapter that holds the windbond chip, works ok.I really need to program those chips because i have an electronical shop that fix notebook motherboards.The driver of the TL866CS is installed ok on windows.The last thing i did was this: after flashing the windbond chip i read it with the software and export to a .bin file. If i compare with an hex editor this .bin file with the original one its says that are the same, so i do not know what is happening.Hope we can help me, i really apreaciate so much

Hi friends, i have good news.I soldered the chips on motherboard after flashing both and the notebook started ok without problems.It seems that the programmer record ok all the information in the chip but in the verification process something happen ( i still dont know what is).Besides that it seems a bug in the software because the notebook till now is working perfect without problems.

Need help!I made the adapter according to the drawings from this topic.It is well defined as V3, but refuses to read the correct ID of the chip (tried M29W800DB-tsop48, AM29F800BB-sop44).I double-checked everything, but unfortunately I did not find an error in the installation.Oscilloscope or logic analyzer is not available to me (

Got my own and I'm glad that i got one. Conversion from CS to A without any problems. And it has one nice feature for me - in ZIF socket atmels seem to be programmed with HVPP algorithm. My problems with fusebits are over!Cost: about 220 polish zloty = 20e

I had also only troubles when try reading 29f/28f flash ,wrong/different ID ,cleaning pins does nt help ,al connections OK .Mine is a CS version ,changed to A version and using 5.91 software everything is OK !When using 6.5 software programmer revert to CS version ,so I kept using 5.91 after a new reflashL.E. :Still not working ,take the TL866 apart and start to measure every component.But I feel that final solution to work with 29F flash is to buy an old Willem...

"OverCurrent Protection actions" while programming old AM 27C128 EPROMs solved. Short: upgrade the software to MiniPro v6.60, and the firmware to V03.2.80. With that version it works like a charm.

Long version: I was fixing a friends C=64 (dead hex inverter 7406 + flaky color SRAM) and while I was doing that I thought I will give them a nice JiffyDOS kernal -- no good deed shall go unpunished!

I lifted the old MOS 251913 mask ROM out of the board, soldered in a preci-dip socket, tried the MOS chip, all OK. So I dumped the contents out (no idea why, actually. Mask ROM. It'll be there forever. Anyways.) Got JiffyDos (hat tip to Jim Brain!) got the BASIC (thx Bo Zimmerman, although one could just take the dump from the 251913 and overwrite it with JiffyDos with a 0x2000 offset) fired up the TL866, and got the dreaded Overcurrent Protection message. So after a bit of fiddling (EPROM good? Powered HUB? USB2.0 port? USB3.0 port? nada - none of these made ANY difference) I finally looked on the manufacturer's site for a new release, (I had 6.50), downloaded it, it immediately offered to upgrade the firmware on the burner and BAM! One written EPROM:

This new update version 6.60 is brilliant. They finally updated the IC database and I’m now able to program ST M27C128A.

Maybe rhetorical questions, but I try anyway to be on the save side. 1. If someone tells you “place the code at offset 0x4000 in the EPROM” < mainly the “offset”, that means said in another way, “you start coding from 0x4000 in the EPROM” < correct or opposite?2. How do I make checksum with the software?

This new update version 6.60 is brilliant. They finally updated the IC database and I’m now able to program ST M27C128A.

Maybe rhetorical questions, but I try anyway to be on the save side. 1. If someone tells you “place the code at offset 0x4000 in the EPROM” < mainly the “offset”, that means said in another way, “you start coding from 0x4000 in the EPROM” < correct or opposite?2. How do I make checksum with the software?

If you're talking about using the 27128, that's a 16K device and 0x4000 = 16K. So, it's not going to mean loading the data into the programmer buffer at that address.

You haven't given any details (including the memory map) of your project but I'm guessing that the EPROM is mapped to start at 0x4000.

That would probably mean that any code programmed into the EPROM would need to be assembled to run at that address.

With the 64TASS assembler, you would use something like this before your assembly instructions -

So am I correct that the MiniPro TL866A will not program ST Microelectronics STM32F line of microcontrollers? I ordered one of these programmers assuming it would. Maybe a bad decision on my part. I should have done my homework. :(

Hi,I`m in a situation I never tried before. I bought a MX27C1000PC as replacement for 27C1000. I´m now looked into the „pin configuration“ for MX27C1000PC and compared it to the original 27C1000 pin-design and concluded that Pin 2 and Pin 24 is swapped.

Long version: I was fixing a friends C=64 (dead hex inverter 7406 + flaky color SRAM) and while I was doing that I thought I will give them a nice JiffyDOS kernal -- no good deed shall go unpunished! ....

Yup. Didn't have any 27c256's lying around... and I did not want to deadbug the 27c128 on the back of the original ROM :)I gave the original ROM back, pins clean, to swap back if any incompatibility is found. I will find another solution then. The owner is pretty happy as of now. (2wks)

if you don't like (as me) ugly old times new roman fonts in TL866 software, here i made some changes for myself , also window is little bit bigger than ori. SWchanges was made on newer Ver. 6.60Just download copy this file in miniPro folder

if you don't like (as me) ugly old times new roman fonts in TL866 software, here i made some changes for myself , also window is little bit bigger than ori. SWchanges was made on newer Ver. 6.60Just download copy this file in miniPro folder

if you don't like (as me) ugly old times new roman fonts in TL866 software, here i made some changes for myself , also window is little bit bigger than ori. SWchanges was made on newer Ver. 6.60Just download copy this file in miniPro folder